Rockin' Aphasia

The Chippewa Valley Aphasia Network

An aphasia podcast - designed, recorded and edited by people with aphasia and their families. Episodes are recorded on location - out and about in western Wisconsin and beyond. Podcasters are individuals with aphasia and their families and friends who are part of the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Network and BluGold Aphasia Group at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. 

Episodes

  1. MAY 21

    The GOAT! Ryan from the Goat Coffee Shop in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

    Let the aphasia group know what you think of the episode! This episode is all things coffee. The aphasia group sits down with Ryan Bembnister, who along with his wife Laura, owns the Goat Coffee House at 336 Water Street in Eau Claire (www.thegoatcoffeehouse.com) in addition to two other locations in the Chippewa Valley.  The Goat is a favorite spot for the aphasia group, as well as for much of the community, including UWEC students and staff. Ryan and Laura have been strong supporters of the aphasia community, and in this interview, Ryan shares the origins of the Goat, how they got into coffee, what it's like running a coffee house in Eau Claire, and even a little about his crazy cool Lego collection. And you'll hear if Goat's Milk is going to be a creamer option.... PLUS you'll hear from the rest of the group, including a Coffee Poem from Jayne and more from the crew. You've got the GOATs in this podcast episode for sure!  You can find pictures of the group during the interview, as well as a few pictures of the Goat in our Podcast photo album here.  "Rockin' Aphasia" is a podcast developed, planned, recorded and produced by members of the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Network and BluGold Aphasia Group. The podcast episodes are recorded on location at various places throughout the Chippewa Valley. For more information about aphasia group collaborations in western Wisconsin - you can check out the the UW-Eau Claire CSD department and the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Network website.

    21 min
  2. Garden Symphony - Springing Forward

    04/30/2023

    Garden Symphony - Springing Forward

    Let the aphasia group know what you think of the episode! Welcome to the 3rd episode of the Rockin' Aphasia podcast. This podcast series is planned, developed, recorded and edited ENTIRELY by the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Network & BluGold Aphasia Group. This episode has a Springtime Theme. In this episode you'll here:  a poem about aphasia and the community gardena story from one of our group members with PPA about moving forward with PPAa couple songs highlighting spring This episode was recorded at the UW-Eau Claire Recording Studio by the aphasia group. For an aphasia-friendly summary of this podcast episode, click here. For pictures of the aphasia group in action, doing the recording click here. Here is the poem - Springtime Symphony by Rochelle Anderson: Springtime Symphony Rainstick.   Mimics the raindrops.  Winter sleeping, healthy earth revealed.  Aphasia is stillness and quiet, seeing the rainbow Small jingles from tambourine.  Weeding and mulching, surrounding with chicken wire.  Aphasia observing and watching Hearing a pair of maracas rattling cha-cha-cha, while hoeing and raking.  Soil becomes fresh and alive.  Aphasia is hidden and frightened Round steel tongue drum loudly marks the beat.  Others plant rows of seeds, place labels.  Pay attention, aphasia is isolated Egg shakers noisy and boisterous with the rhythm.  Smell fertilizer and compost, then feed the plants.  Unable to talk, aphasia is eternal Metal bell sticks, clanging, shiny celebration.   Correct amount of water to make seeds grow.  Words scream in my mind, but lonely with aphasia Laughing and sadness around the garden.  Special friends struggling and succeeding.  Listening to delightful music, solving clues of the game of aphasia by Rochelle M. Anderson Here is Jane's story about living with PPA My name is Jane and I have Primary Progressive Aphasia. I struggle every day to get my words out. I can say this winter has been very hard on me. I am losing more and more of my words. I am using my tablet to speak for me because I can’t write or spell, do my checkbook count money or go to restaurants.  I am in an aphasia group that keeps me going. They are awesome and they understand. They are patient helpful and fun. I go to group 2 times a week and work on projects. My family understands and I have several special people in my life. If I need them, they are there for me.  I am an outside person and need to be busy all the time ….Mowing the lawn and fixing things. I even do sewing outside sometimes. I do several vendor craft shows and sell my products. Sewing bean bags, micro potholders, rice bags and fleece blankets. I also love doing puzzles.  I got my first pony when I was four and by nine years old, I was in horse shows. I like the racing ones the most – like barrels and poles. I am not showing anymore but I belong to the Bit and Spur club in Eau Claire, Wis.  I help in the "Rockin' Aphasia" is a podcast developed, planned, recorded and produced by members of the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Network and BluGold Aphasia Group. The podcast episodes are recorded on location at various places throughout the Chippewa Valley. For more information about aphasia group collaborations in western Wisconsin - you can check out the the UW-Eau Claire CSD department and the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Network website.

    15 min
  3. The Cantaloupes...they were rotten!

    12/01/2022

    The Cantaloupes...they were rotten!

    Let the aphasia group know what you think of the episode! Welcome back to Rockin’ Aphasia - Episode #2! In this episode, the Blugold Aphasia Group takes a trip to the community garden. The group shares memories and stories about the hard work they have put into the garden - including cantaloupes! You will also hear from group members Robert and Rita and their journey living with aphasia. Lastly, the Blugold Aphasia Group recites a poem about gardening and aphasia written by fellow group member Rochelle Anderson. You can find Rochelle’s poem linked below and read along as aphasia group members read the poem aloud.  You can also find a few pictures of our community garden plot here. Gardening Journey - by Rochelle Anderson  Plants and seeds looking for sprouting deliverance, surrounded by chicken wire Tomatoes, peppers, beans, lettuce, squash in the nourishing soil Onions underneath dirt are dragons anticipating freedom Conversation outside, working together, camaraderie.  Joking, laughing, smiling   Many weeds in the garden’s path are a storm battering the port Aphasia is a weed, toiling and struggling to remove, but always coming back The antlered deer eating the garden is aphasia stealing your purpose A vegetable garden with no sun or water is aphasia changing your life   Gardening in a group with friends, enjoying their lives, sharing stories Smell the pungent onions, savor the red, juicy tomatoes, feel the leafy lettuce Crisp, flavorful and fresh on your palate is the full-spectrum rainbow Starting barren, scenery explodes and nature shows its wonder   Suddenly autumn. Waiting for spring’s rebirth, memories abound  ----Rochelle M. Anderson For more information about the collaborative community garden, you can read the article here.   "Rockin' Aphasia" is a podcast developed, planned, recorded and produced by members of the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Network and BluGold Aphasia Group. The podcast episodes are recorded on location at various places throughout the Chippewa Valley. For more information about aphasia group collaborations in western Wisconsin - you can check out the the UW-Eau Claire CSD department and the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Network website.

    16 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

An aphasia podcast - designed, recorded and edited by people with aphasia and their families. Episodes are recorded on location - out and about in western Wisconsin and beyond. Podcasters are individuals with aphasia and their families and friends who are part of the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Network and BluGold Aphasia Group at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.