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Woman starts move to 'Jump for Joy' to relieve pandemic stress

Posted at 7:58 AM, May 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-19 08:58:19-04

During the COVID-19 pandemic, working on the front lines can be dangerous and stressful. When LaDonna found herself feeling anxious coming home night after night working as a hospice care nurse, she had to find a way to relieve the stress.

"I noticed when I would jump my anxiety would decrease. I wasn't sad and down. I felt better," said LaDonna Telford.

So with a rope and some time, she began to jump. She shared the video on Facebook with a few friends. Monette Harmon took notice but admits she was not excited to take the nurse's orders. But, it was clear LaDonna's motivation was infectious.

"After a while I picked up the rope, my kids picked up the rope, my husband picked up the rope, my siblings. We are all jumping, " said Harmon.

LaDonna decided to start a Facebook group - The Jump for Joy Squad.

"It's amazing to see my hometown. People are jumping outdoors and I am seeing neighborhoods that I lived in.... it connects me with my childhood."

And it's not just LaDonna's friends in Milwaukee, the group has crossed state lines and boarders.

"We have people jumping in 74 countries," said Telford.

Harmon has found purpose in managing the Facebook page.

"It's inspiring. Especially someone who deals with depression, you can see the joy in someone else and you find that joy within yourself," she said.

LaDonna never thought a new hobby would inspire so many but she says, "The purpose of the group is to simply jump for joy."

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