Friends,
We had a busy, educational, and interesting week this past week
Cionic Neuro Sleeve demos
Brian Kolonick from Cionic introduced and demo’d a new assistive technology called the Cionic Neural Sleeve. This is a wearable functional electrical stimulation device that can be programmed to stimulate major muscles in the legs while performing everyday activities. https://cionic.com/neuralsleeve
This technology is amazing how it fires certain nerves at certain times during each step. It looks promising for people with the right application. Thanks, Brian for educating us on this technology and thanks to all who were willing to give it a try. I’m encouraged that companies like Cionic are investing into our future by developing this technology using electrical stimulation.
Jamie Wolf – Nurse practitioner – ProHealth
Jamie Smith who is a PA for Dr Smith at ProHealth in Waukesha gave us a very educational presentation last Friday on all kinds of options on what “we” can do for ourselves as we live with MS and resources available.
I REALLY like how Jamie pointed out so many things we can be doing for ourselves as well as the resources that are available to us. Thanks for the great presentation, Jamie!
Rebounding
I loved it this past week When Dr Kate did her standing balance class on the rebounders. It looked like it was fun for most even though there were some white knuckles. That’s ok, our knuckles need exercise too. We had all 12 rebounders full…it warmed my heart!
Why am I so excited about these rebounders? Because I personally made so much progress with my MS last year when I started doing it more consistently and now I am seeing everyone in our 6:00am group making progress too. It’s really exciting for me to see all of you being willing to try it. I hope you make progress too.
As we gain more experience, we will be sharing the progress with you and providing more rebounding opportunities. In the meantime, please continue getting comfortable on them. If you’re interested in joining our 6:00am group every weekday morning (consistency is key 😊) please let me know. We have rebounders available for two more people.
Volunteer Appreciation / Christmas party
Our annual volunteer appreciation / Christmas party will be tomorrow. I hope to see you there!
The gym is now open one evening per week.
Last Monday was the first Monday for our evening program. We had five people show up which was really exciting. I’m hoping we get a few more people taking advantage of this opportunity in the near future.
If our morning hours don’t work for your schedule, then you’re in luck! Dr Kate Kern will be hosting evening gym hours from 4-7pm each Monday starting on 12/9/24. Exercise on your own or participate in a group cardio or strength class. Caregivers/partners and volunteers are welcome and encouraged to join.
Schedule of Monday evening group exercise classes (led by Dr Kate):
5:00 pm: High intensity interval training (HIIT)
5:30 pm: Standing balance
6:00 pm: Seated balance
Please reach out to Dr Kate Kern directly with any questions or comments at kborn1234@gmail.com
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
This week, Adam and Ed made a podcast with random thoughts of whatever came to mind during it. Perhaps you can learn what’s normal as they live with MS. Ed and Adam both have a great perspective on what it’s like to have to quit driving due to MS challenges. Sarah had some good perspectives too.
Here’s a link:
Rolling with the Random Thoughts by Positive Vibes Living with MS
Thanks Adam, Ed and Ava for doing these podcasts together!
Member Spotlight – Pam Tyler and Joan Ruffino
Brenda and Phil make a great team together. Phil clicks the clicker counter each step Brenda takes and records it. It seems like each time I talk with them, Brenda is setting a new personal record and her stride length is straight and getting much longer. They both have beautiful smiles 😊
Cardio and Balance Programs
These classes are aimed to get everyone exercising together. I like that word “together” 😊. We’ll need help from volunteers before and after the cardio class on Wednesdays and Fridays to get members on and off equipment. All are welcome and encouraged to join…friends with MS, volunteers and caregivers.
Monday evenings (open from 4:00pm – 7:00pm)
5:00 pm: High intensity interval training (HIIT)
5:30 pm: Standing balance
6:00 pm: Seated balance
Wednesdays
8:30am – 9:00am: Cardio exercise
Location: in the big room using aerobic equipment in front of big TV
Pick your favorite piece of equipment to use, bring a water bottle, and arrive a few minutes early to get the equipment set up to your height.
10-10:30am: Cardio exercise
Location: in the big room using aerobic equipment in front of big TV
Pick your favorite piece of equipment to use, bring a water bottle, and arrive a few minutes early to get the equipment set up to your height.
10:30 – 11:00am Tai Chi led by Ricky
Fridays:
9:30 – 10:00am: High intensity interval training (HIIT) body weight circuit class. Great for those who aren’t attending Friday morning bike rides and want to get their heart pumping! Geared to intermediate to advanced ability level. Class may be indoors or outdoors depending on weather. Find Dr Kate at the start of the class time.
10:00 – 10:30 am: Seated balance class
10:30 – 11am: Standing balance class
Pick the class / classes you feel most able and comfortable participating in. We will have chairs set up to sit on and/or use for balance support.
Email Dr Kate at kborn1234@gmail.com with any questions.
Friday Morning Bike Ride
We are done for the season. Let’s work hard over the winter so we can pick right back up where we left off. Let’s enjoy our winter together and think Spring!
Educational Sessions
Friday, December 20th 11:00am – 12:00 pm- Dr Kate Kern will demo the steps it takes to get up from the ground, whether it be from a fall or on purpose!
Friday, January 10th 11:00am – 12:00 pm- Volunteer meeting. Kate will facilitate a meeting to hear from volunteers about successes, struggles, or anything in between. We will also discuss tips and tricks with helping members.
Future topics could include: emotional health, nutrition, yoga, tai chi, wellness topics, safe use of gym equipment for your body, best exercise for you and more. What topics would you like to see? Please let Dr Kate, Joan, Traci, Ricky or Dan know.
Let’s get together!
We’ll be getting together from 8:00am – noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at the gym. Plus Monday evenings from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. I hope you’ll join us!
Wisconsin Metal Parts – Westmound Building
MS-Just Keep Moving, Inc.
W228N791 Westmound Drive
Waukesha, WI 53186
Prayer Group We’ll be having our prayer group Wednesday from 11:00am – noon.
I just love the way we share, pray and laugh together while we witness prayers being answered weekly. It’s truly amazing!
Thanks goes to God and to everyone that joins us. Let’s get together to share, listen, talk, give thanks, and pray however God leads us.
MS-Just Keep Caring – Our Caregivers support group will be the first and third Friday of each month from 10:00 – 10:30am. The next one will be this Friday, December 20th 2024. If you’re a caregiver of someone you love with MS, please join us and share your experience of caring for your loved one. This has been very helpful for many. Thanks to all who participate!
Our Facebook page is private. That means you’ll need to join if you want access to all our fun and progress. We’re now at 572 members. That’s awesome! https://www.facebook.com/groups/2639832389489709
Our Facebook page is active and fun. Lots of people are doing more and sharing their journey on Facebook. Feel free to join, post and share your experiences and comments.
There were some awesome pictures, videos and comments shared again this past week. Thank you to all who are sharing!
Thai Massage with Ricky Heldt
Ricky will be here on Wednesdays doing Thai Massage.
There is a sign-up board to be used to accommodate your needs for your exercise plan. Some people with spasticity need to be massaged / stretched out before they can exercise. Some people need a massage after a hard workout to loosen up their tight muscles or relieve pain.
We have limited spots for massages, please be considerate of people that need the massage the most in order to do the exercises they need to do or recover from the exercises they just did.
You can pick the time slot that works for you.
Reiki with Linda and Mary Linda and Mary will be here on Fridays doing Reiki. Many people say their Reiki work is “magical”. We’re thankful for Linda and Mary for sharing their gifts and talents with us. Feel free to let them know you’d like to do Reiki with them. They also have a sign-up sheet.
Inspirational Humor with Adam Wollert
We’ll be having our inspirational humor zoom call with Adam again next Tuesday. Adam is a gift to all of us. Thanks to all who joined us today!
Please join us if you can.
Tuesdays @ 1:30PM
Here’s the link to join us…I hope you do!
Join Zoom Meeting with this link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9431389152?pwd=bWlYbFNaazVnM1M1cWxWMitlODdXUT09
Meeting ID: 943 138 9152
Passcode: 3qP2hu
Phone: 1-312-626-6799
Let’s reach out
I encourage you to share a smile and encouragement with someone. Perhaps you could call someone that you have not talked with for a while just to say hi and see how they are doing. We all could use a little extra love and encouragement.
MS is tough. Let’s have faith, remain calm, be flexible, help each other and learn as much as we can about the challenges of each day as we make good choices and take action.
Let’s keep moving, smiling and loving 😊 It helps!
In God We Trust…we are in good hands.
Dan
Our Website: http://msjustkeepmoving.org/
P.S. Cal and I visited the little river in Delafield again this past week. As we got there, the river was full of birds of all types.
We didn’t walk too far and a flock of geese flew right at us and over us.
We stood there for a little while and some Sandhill cranes came in for a landing. I like it when they get their landing gear ready 😊
This one stuck the landing
It’s hard not to notice some of the simple beauty out there this time of the year, like some simple ice freezing around some cat tails
Or a stick sticking out of the water
Or some frosty formations sitting on top of the ice
I’m still amazed how the cranes stay paired up as a couple
Even when they’re all gathered together as a community
The geese seem to be paired up too
This great blue heron came in for a beautiful landing but my fingers were cold and I missed the shot
This duck seemed to be enjoying the cold water
For those who can’t get out and enjoy nature due your challenges with MS…my heart is with you. You are with me every time I’m out there. I enjoy being out there and I also enjoy sharing with you. I know how hard it is not to be able to get out and enjoy nature. Let’s enjoy nature and God’s beauty together this way.
