Day 17 of MnCAN’s 30 Days of Life with Aphasia — Meet Rochelle!Â
Rochelle, who lives in Minnetonka, has been part of the MnCAN story from the very beginning. Reflecting on those early days, Rochelle fondly shares, “Cindy Busch and Sheen were the stars!” Their vision helped create a community that has touched the lives of so many people living with aphasia.
Over the years, Rochelle has continually challenged herself, embracing new opportunities and becoming a passionate advocate for aphasia awareness and education. She has generously shared her experiences to help others better understand what it means to live with aphasia and the importance of patience, inclusion, and communication support.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rochelle discovered an unexpected creative outlet—poetry. She hadn’t written poetry since junior high, but when a professor from Eau Claire, Wisconsin introduced the idea that poetry could help people who have experienced a stroke, Rochelle decided to give it a try.
And it worked.
Through poetry, Rochelle found a meaningful way to express herself, connect with others, and continue her communication journey. Her willingness to try something new serves as a wonderful reminder that growth, creativity, and self-expression can happen at any stage of life.
Thank you, Rochelle, for your courage, advocacy, and for inspiring others to keep challenging themselves and discovering new possibilities after aphasia.Â
#30DaysOfLifeWithAphasia #AphasiaAwareness #MnCAN #LifeWithAphasia #StrokeRecovery #CommunicationMatters #AphasiaAdvocate #FindingYourVoice #MinnesotaConnectAphasiaNow #AphasiaCommunity
Check out our fundraiser for June Aphasia Awareness Month to donate! https://givebutter.com/mncan-june-aphasia-awareness-month-2026?blm_aid=80575489
