Garden Symphony - Springing Forward

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 garden
• a story from one of our group members with PPA about moving forward with PPA
• a 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 food truck and make 30 pounds of potato salad. Then I help Tammy, my daughter with pulled pork and tacos. We do around 7 shows. All shows are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

 It’s spring now so I will be out in the University plot putting up fences and getting ready to put seeds in the ground.

 Now it’s time to have some fun and get our group back together. 

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.