MS FitEffect
Teaching people with Multiple Sclerosis how to manage their symptoms through exercise and fitness.
MS FitEffect is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who live with Multiple Sclerosis by working with and teaching them how fitness and proper exercise can change their lives. MS FitEffect provides people with MS the opportunity to work individually with a certified fitness professional during an instructional 10 week event at no cost to them.
04/12/2023
How is MS FitEffect making a difference?
We often post stories from those we work with, but today, we would like to share with you, what our mission means to the families of those we work with.
Here is an email we received on Saturday after our Celebration Event:
Hello Mark, Jackie and the Whole MS FitEffect Team!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for a wonderful afternoon to celebrate MS FitEffect! The difference you have made in my brother Seth’s life is absolutely incredible. He has more confidence now than I have seen in years… he is STANDING TALLER because of all of you! The three words you use strength, stamina and stability is definitely what he has gained over the last 10 weeks.
It is amazing to see the changes in the participants from the first event to now. The participants now have a sparkle in their eyes today that I did not see on September 9th when I came with Seth. The word I keep thinking about after getting home today is the word HOPE-while listening to the trainers, participants, and family members. The team at MS FitEffect has given HOPE to the participants and built so much confidence not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well.
Your dedication and commitment is changing the trajectory of lives and entire families. THANK YOU!
We will keep spreading the word about MS FitEffect and am so thankful for finding all of you! I attached a photo of Seth and this photo says it all in his SMILE and the sparkle in his eyes is again full of HOPE! Praising and thanking God for your program!
Merry Christmas!
Thanks again!
Karla (Seth's sister)
Seth, you have inspired each one of us at MS FitEffect!
03/12/2023
CELEBRATION!!!
Yesterday, we celebrated the completion our 2023 Free 10-week Program which this year hosted 15 participants.
Our participants enjoyed a time together with the MS FitEffect team, celebrating their accomplishments while enjoying an afternoon of fun, food and fellowship.
As always, there were times of laughter, the shedding of joyful tears and moments of sharing that brought everyone together.
Our MS FitEffect family is growing and we are happy to have each one of you become a part of it!
Thank you, everyone!
Old World Molding Company
30/11/2023
Thank you to everyone who has made this opportunity possible.
Thank you, Jackie, trainers, our board, sponsors, donors, volunteers and the entire MS FitEffect team!
Together, we can make a difference!
Lending a helping hand | Jefferson Awards One person with the desire to help can make a huge impact in the community.
25/11/2023
You Are Invited!
Please join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of our fifteen 2023 participants!
It will be a great time!
23/11/2023
We are exceedingly Thankful for everyone who has helped us grow over the years.
We are Thankful for our trainers, our Board, our sponsors, our volunteers and for all of our faithful supporters.
We are also Thankful for each individual that we have had the privilege of working with to help them change their lives for the better.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
WEEK 10
We can hardly believe that we have completed Week 10, the final week, of this year’s free program!
What an amazing 10 weeks!
Everyone did so well and the progress we have witnessed is absolutely heart-warming. We cannot begin to express how pleased we are with this great group of participants. They have been so eager to learn and they have worked so hard learning to take control their bodies instead of allowing their bodies to take control them.
Well done, everyone!
This final week, we would like to share with you a story of one participant who found our program at the last minute.
Shannon is in her early 30’s and she was just diagnosed with MS this past July, just 2 months before the beginning of our program.
Shannon was devastated with her diagnosis and found herself scared, questioning and wondering. What was all this about? What is going to happen to me? What do I do next? How do I cope with this? Can I do anything to make it better?
One week into this year’s program, we received an email from Shannon. It was very simple. This is what it said:
“I was just wondering if this is still open to join at all? I was diagnosed at the end of July. Thank you.”
We got right back to her, knowing that this person was most likely very scared, anxious and confused with such a recent diagnosis. We sent her an application and let her know that we were quite happy to accept her.
We did not get a response from her.
Several days later, we wrote back asking her if she was still interested.
Here was her response:
“ I think I am going to pass for now as I am just struggling very much mentally with this diagnosis. I think I just need time. I have been referred to PT for now and am going to try to complete that. Thank you so much.”
We were heartbroken. We knew where she needed to be.
Mark asked Shannon if he could call her and speak with her. Shannon graciously accepted.
She became a part of the program in Week 2.
Shannon has enjoyed her time working with us and her trainer Brenda. She has learned so much and this time has given her the opportunity to be able to meet and share with others who live with MS.
MS has caused Shannon to have left leg weakness, occasional overall weakness, dizziness and fatigue.
Shannon’s goal in the program was to not go backwards and to become stronger, more fit and to feel better.
The following video is of Shannon’s Week 10 workout where Brenda puts her through the paces!
Shannon has grown in so many ways and it has been inspiring to watch how positive she has become.
We believe that Shannon is going to be a light to others with MS and that her example will give them hope, courage and assurance that a positive attitude, hard work and dedication are what it takes to continue moving forward and upward.
Well done, Shannon!
18/11/2023
Thank You, to Margi Leiss at L Studio (lstudiogigi) for donating the fabric for our stretching table!
Our stretching table was in desperate need of being reupholstered, as you can see by the photos.
Now, it looks fantastic!
Thank You!
18/11/2023
THANK YOU...
To everyone who donated yesterday through the ExtraGive to support our cause!
We appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity!
And...
CONGRATULATIONS to our winner of the $50.00 Amazon Gift Card, Kristin!!!
17/11/2023
ONLY 6 MORE HOURS!
Thank you to everyone that has already donated to our cause today. We appreciate your heartfelt caring and generosity!
But there is still time to give if you haven't already.
Please help us reach today's goal of $5000.00.
We still have 3230.00 to go...but you can help us get there!
Use our unique MS FitEffect link to donate:
https://www.extragive.org/search?query=ms+fiteffect
Thank You!
Find an Organization to Support | ExtraGive Explore what ExtraGive has to offer and support the organizations that mean the most to you.
17/11/2023
Having a great day at Clipper Magazine Stadium for the The Extra Give for MS FitEffect at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
It was great to have Glenn, one of our participants, stop in for a while.
There's still time to donate:
https://www.extragive.org/search?query=ms+fiteffect
17/11/2023
Thank you, to The Exterior Company, Inc. for stopping and supporting our organization today.
17/11/2023
TODAY IS THE DAY!!!
Please help us reach our goal of $5000.00 by midnight tonight:
This is our unique MS FitEffect link
https://www.extragive.org/search?query=ms+fiteffect
Your generous gift will allow us to continue improving the quality of life for people who live with Multiple Sclerosis by working with and teaching them how fitness and proper exercise can change their lives.
Your gifts in the past have allowed us to create new programming and educational materials that we have been able to offer to a larger group of people.
MS FitEffect is committed to providing our resources to the MS community at no cost to them. So many people living with MS are unable to work, earn an income and their medical costs can be astronomical. Your gifts enable us to do this.
Because of you, we have witnessed first-hand, people using our program being able to go back to work, being able to now participate in family events and outings and enjoying the ability to do things that they could not do before.
We want to be able to continue our endeavor in helping these incredible people achieve a new beginning through our practical and natural systems and protocol. And we want to be able to do it in more ways for more people.
So, THANK YOU for supporting our cause and for becoming a part of the MS FitEffect Family!
https://www.extragive.org/search?query=ms+fiteffect
Find an Organization to Support | ExtraGive Explore what ExtraGive has to offer and support the organizations that mean the most to you.
11/11/2023
I truly appreciate the thoughtfulness of being nominated for this award. It is only possible because of our great team!
Thank You!
11/11/2023
WEEK 9
Even though we are rounding the bend towards our last week of this year's free program, it is just the beginning of a lifelong journey for each of our participants.
We are dedicated to improving the quality of life for each participant by working with and teaching them how fitness and proper exercise can change their lives. Over the past two months, these participants have witnessed, firsthand, the life-changing benefits of all their hard work and of each lesson they have learned and put into practice.
But it doesn't end here. If we have served them well, then they will continue to better themselves with their newly formed lifestyle of a disciplined effort in working to overcome the challenges that this disease may confront them with.
We are encouraged by the continued effort that each of our participants has put in every week. They are fighters and we will continue to stand beside them!
11/11/2023
THANK YOU
05/11/2023
WEEK 8
Reality.
It is something we all need to accept.
But it is not something we need to settle for!
MS is real, and it affects everyone who has it differently. But no matter how it affects a person, the reality of having it and the symptoms it presents must be accepted. Once it is accepted, a person may begin to successfully start moving forward, towards positive changes…if they choose not to settle with their condition.
All of our participants have experienced positive results over the course of our program. Some have even seen incredible progress that they never thought was possible. And then, that week arrives where they struggle with their workouts and their training session does not go as well as all of their past sessions have gone. Frustration sets in and they begin to wonder if they are done moving forward. Is this it? Is this all I can expect?
MS is unpredictable from day to day and even from moment to moment. Something you are able to do on a regular basis can be gone in an instant because your brain suddenly decides that it will not allow your body to perform a task that seemingly had become natural to you.
Not every week is great. Not every training session goes the way we might have hoped. But we continue to work hard. We don’t settle. We push forward. We continue to make the body strong and to improve the mind/body connection.
MS FitEffect strives to look at the positive. Look how far you’ve come. Look at what you can do now that you could not do before. Look at how your independence has improved. Let’s learn something positive from that perceived lousy training session.
Every day is a new day and a new opportunity to become better, even though it may not feel that way.
Accept, but don’t settle.
29/10/2023
WEEK 7
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."
Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland
"Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement."
C.S. Lewis
"Never give up, never give up, never give up!"
Winston Churchill
"I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse." Florence Nightingale
“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.”
Mark Twain
"No matter how good you get you can always get better, and that's the exciting part."
Tiger Woods
26/10/2023
25/10/2023
EVEN THE NEUROLOGISTS ARE NOTICING...
During Week 6 of our program, one of our participants had an appointment with their neurologist.
Here is is what our participant said...
"Every six months I visit my neuro and each time he watches me walk. This time, he noticed a 20% improvement in my walk. He also observed that I was stronger and faster."
Cathy
Over the years, we have had several accounts of neurologists being surprised at the improvement of their patients who attend our program. Some have even asked their patients, "How are you able to do that now?"
The answer: MS FitEffect!
But MS FitEffect is simply a resource. The improvements being seen are a testament to the dedication, discipline and consistent hard work that our participants put in to improving their lives.
This is why we do what we do. These accounts never get old and we will continue to push the envelope with helping our clients achieve what some may think is impossible for them to achieve.
You go, Cathy!!!
Photo: Cathy working with trainer Karen.
22/10/2023
WEEK 6
Another great week!
We are very encouraged by the progress that our participants are making. Their excitement and enthusiasm about the program lets us know that we are doing the right thing and making a difference!
This week, we would like to take you through three different workout sessions allowing you to follow the process and progression. Our trainers enter their sessions with a plan, but that plan can change (and most likely will) as we assess everything each participant does during their session.
We want the best results for each participant and we allow that thought process to guide us.
15/10/2023
WEEK 5
We are half-way through our 10-week program and we are ecstatic over how all of our participants are learning and progressing!
Every day, it is such a joy to be a part of the smiles and the words of gratitude and thanks that our participants share with us.
THANK YOU, to all of our sponsors and donors who make all of this a reality for our 15 grateful participants.
We hope that you are enjoying our weekly posts of how these hard working, dedicated people are moving forward and bettering their quality of life through fitness and exercise. We also hope that you are learning more about what we do and that you are gaining an understanding of how MS can affect people's lives.
Thank you for being a part of this journey!
07/10/2023
WEEK 4
And it just keeps getting better!
We are so pleased with the progress that everyone is making.
Not only are our participants doing things they thought they would never do again, they are also developing an awareness of their bodies and learning how to use new thought processes...all while getting stronger and gaining confidence!
We appreciate the effort that everyone is putting into becoming a "better them"
You guys ROCK!!!!
Jay wants to walk again.
He will do it.
His desire, work ethic and strong will are going to get him there.
We are just the facilitators.
Watch this video to the end and witness what Jay is learning and how it is going to move him forward.
It is amazing what the mind and body can do when you allow them to work together.
You got this, Jay!
01/10/2023
WEEK 3
We are so happy with the progress everyone is seeing and feeling!
The participants are doing their homework and it is clearly obvious.
We are excited about the direction they are moving and, like them, we are anxious to see what heights each one will reach over this 10 week period.
The work pays off and the results bring smiles!
01/10/2023
Words can not express our gratitude.
In May, we received an email from a company that has started organizing and hosting an annual motorcycle ride in order to to raise money and awareness for worthy causes.
The email went on to say, "A very close family friend was diagnosed with MS years ago. In talking with her, she said that your organization is operated from donations, thus we were hoping that our 2023 ride could help benefit MS FitEffect."
(This friend had been through our 10-Week Free Program and her friends had seen first-hand what it had done for her.)
The email went on to ask, "If this sounds like something that may be of interest, please let me know. BTW – this is not a scam…..LOL"
Well....we were interested!!!
We are so grateful for Weidner Construction Services; Mike, Kelsi and the entire team! They are awesome and we appreciate their dedication and the amount of work that goes into pulling-off an event like this. And they do it all, selflessly.
We also want to thank each of the sponsors and all of the riders!
Your support is what allows us to continue doing what we do. It also provides us with the opportunity to be able to help more people in more ways.
Again, words can not express our gratitude, but please know that we appreciate you all from the bottom of our hearts.
Because of you...
$17,250.00 was raised!
THANK YOU!
WHAT A DAY!!!
We had an awesome time at the Motorcycle Ride Fundraiser today.
Thank You to everyone that participated and enjoyed the fantastic ride on such a beautiful day!
It was great to meet new friends and to share our MS FitEffect mission with everyone.
Special thanks goes out to the ride organizer, Weidner Construction Services. Thank you, Mike, Kelsi and the rest of your team for being such gracious hosts!
Thank you to all of the sponsors for supporting this cause!
Thank you to each and every rider. We hope you continue to support this ride each year and help it grow as it continues to benefit other deserving causes.
Thank you to Appalachian Harley Davidson and to Troy at the Shermans Creek Inn at the Roadhouse Pavilion Appalachian Cycles for their hospitality.
Because of each one of you, we are able to continue doing the work we do in helping people who live with MS achieve a better quality of life through fitness and exercise!
THANK YOU!!!
TODAY...
Getting ready to
REV IT UP
for MS FitEffect!
Can't wait to see all you Cool Cats!
27/09/2023
It is always nice to know that we are making a difference in individual's lives.
I received this text yesterday from one of our participants who started working with us about eleven months ago:
"Good morning, Mark. Today (for the first time in years) I went down 13 steps to my basement and because of the training I received from you, I was able to safely make it back up. Thank you so much!"
Roiann
This is why we do what we do!
Photo: Roiann working with trainer Brenda
When "the boss" accepts a challenge. 😃
23/09/2023
WEEK 2
What a great week!
Our participants returned for their second training sessions and the improvements we saw, after only one week, were significant! Everyone was doing their homework and it was quite evident.
It is so exciting for everyone when we witness progress, no matter how big or how small it may seem to the participants. Any progress is progress and foundations are being laid for bigger and better things to come. This is a process, slow and steady, and our participants are really enjoying going through it. We cherish their smiles, their desire to learn and their willingness to achieve!
We celebrate you all!
17/09/2023
GET YOUR MOTORS RUNNING and HEAD OUT ON THE HIGHWAY
And ride for a cause!
Join the ride on Saturday, September 30.
Good Friends
Good Ride
Good Eatin'
Good Prizes
Great Cause!!!
Please share this post with all of your friends so that we may reach as many motorcycle riders as possible!
Thank You
16/09/2023
WEEK 1
And we're off...
It makes for a great first week when everyone comes in excited about starting their sessions. What's even better, is when they leave their first session more excited than when they came in!
We had an incredible first week meeting with our participants and getting them started on their journeys. There were so many smiles, expressions of thankfulness and new sparks of hope! Everyone realized a positive difference after only one session.
We are grateful for this group of participants that is so eager to move ahead and to learn and experience how fitness and exercise can change their lives.
Follow our participants here each week and feel free to share, comment and encourage them as they continue to move forward.
Let's do this!
13/09/2023
Our participants are enjoying their custom made MS FitEffect chocolate bars that they received in their gift bags at our Kick-Off Event.
Thank you to Intermezzo by Stephanie/Locally Handcrafted Chocolates for creating this delicious gift!
10/09/2023
Thank You, Hockey Fights MS for being a Gold Sponsor of our 2023 Free 10-Week Program.
Working with your team this year has been an incredible experience! We look forward to a long lasting relationship in helping people with MS achieve a better quality of life through fitness and exercise!
We appreciate your support!
10/09/2023
KICK-OFF EVENT 2023
We kicked-off our eighth 10-Week Free Program yesterday and we had a great time!
This year, we welcome in 16 new participants to our MS FitEffect family!
It was great to meet you all and we can't wait to get started working with you! It's going to be an awesome journey!
Enjoy some photos from the day...
10/09/2023
Welcome, to our newest trainer, Dixie Kaley.
Dixie is now an ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) Certified Personal Trainer.
Dixie has followed our program for several years and has witnessed, first hand, the progress of so many of our participants in the gym. She has been an avid supporter of our cause and last year, she became a member of the MS FitEffect Board of Directors.
Wanting to do more, she has worked diligently, this year, to earn her personal training certification and she will now be shadowing all of our trainers during our 10-week free program getting hands-on experience.
Congratulations, Dixie!
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