Welcome everybody to Midday magazine for the September 19th, 2024.
Have your host James J. Mailov here.
And today we're welcoming in our friend,
Kaosuwa Kaosuwa.
I got it. There's a second track, Kaosuwa.
Tao joining us by Lingle Community Health Worker with University of Wisconsin,
Madison Division of Extension Wood County.
Kaosuwa, we have already gone through a hefty interview just me giving the title.
We're already done like with 10 minutes, not kidding.
We got time today to talk about something that I'm looking forward to getting into with you.
You sent over this outline and I had a chance to learn research a little bit about this.
I'm so thankful that you did because I did not know much about this going into it.
I really did now and I'm looking forward to our audience learning more about strong bodies.
What is strong bodies?
So strong bodies is a program that UWE Extension had brought research and brought on from other states.
And it's a program created by professors, Maryam E. Nelson and Rebecca Tsinguan.
It's to like catalyzed positive change in people of all ages.
And it's really to help strengthen elders, right?
So that when they are doing their normal day to day lives or any of that sort,
they can do that independently.
So anything for like balance, muscle mass and strength,
just feeling good and healthy overall.
It helps increase bone density.
A lot of my participants right now, they really don't need the strength training,
but they come for the social aspect of it.
So it's an hour of socializing and it's so much fun just to listen to them talking,
converse before, during and after a class.
This is one of those things too, where it's great for the socialization.
It's great for the body and those things.
And those two worlds combined is really good for your mental health.
And so it really has a three prong attack almost here of really benefiting so many different things
about your day to day life.
Oh yeah, definitely.
And like you said, you hit it right on the spot.
It's all, it works so well together and it's a mental health piece of it.
And we realized that social isolation in the elder community, really,
not just in the monk community, but in the seniors and elders altogether,
they feel isolated because of the lack of transportation or the ability to not move around like they used to.
So bringing them all in, whether it's them or a family member or someone providing them transportation to these classes,
it really just brightens their day because they're out of their regular environment.
And it's with other people that they normally don't ever see.
You know, one of the things that I look forward to and I look for in every interview I do or anybody I talk to
is look for ways to show how we have more in common than not.
And how we are more connected than we realize and how culturally we are so similar to other cultures
and people are so similar to other people and everything.
This is one of those times though where I wish it wasn't the case where I wish we didn't have this in common.
But if you are in your senior age, if you're in the senior age, it almost doesn't matter what culture you come from.
There is this isolation that exists.
It's not even just a Wisconsin thing.
I know that this happens all the time.
My old neighborhoods in Chicago and everything.
It was actually something that was on us as kids to be looking out and making sure,
Hey, did you know the Mr. Sanderson? Did you check on Miss Sanderson?
Like there was actually a thing we did as kids.
We have meals on wheels programs in part, yes, to get meals to our individuals, but also to check on them.
So this is something that has been around in our culture for way too long and still exists and still is a thing.
And I hope not only shows a connection between cultures that are very similar,
but brings these cultures together.
And so where we can help each other, more, more hands, more hands make less work, right?
So more of us get together and the more of us, we can help each other with this.
And at the same time, be doing all these things that Casua said to us here,
where we can take care of the mental health, the physical health.
And hey, you know, have some fun, not be so isolated.
When it comes to the regular strength training class, what does that involve?
So right now, I'm teaching the basic.
We have two programs, just strong bodies.
It's a basic and intermediate.
The intermediate is something that I, it's our goal for the current group that I have
because it's getting up and down from the floor.
And so that's a goal eventually.
But right now, we're doing the basic.
And it's the, we have eight exercises.
So we do like a wide leg squat.
And then we do like overhead press and bicep curls.
So every time with the like wide leg squat, we always say,
well, it's exercise, it's strength training,
but it's so that you can sit down in your couch or if you get up and down for the toilet
or up and down on the couch, it's like the basic living skills.
We have the overhead press that I always go back to because eventually,
hey, if you need to reach a can of jar or something from the cabinet,
you're able to do that independently.
You don't need somebody to be there to help you.
And so it ties in and it has a meaningful impact on like your everyday life and everyday skills.
It, it covers so much ground too, like being able to do this.
And the, the increase in balance and agility that it gives you.
The, the, I think the, one of the things if I could just add on to what you're talking about here.
And I think it's, it adds on to all of these.
The confidence it gives you in movement, in a, in agility.
The older we get, I'm in my mid 40s and I'm already feeling this.
I can't imagine, you know, 20 years down the line and everything.
Um, I, I know how, how valuable my, and that is to me, my agility and being able to move around.
I'm still kind of fast.
I could still do things and, and I mean so much and I love being able to do that.
And I know how much it means to my dad when he loses those things.
Because he was a lot faster than I was and not so much anymore.
And, and, but he wants to still have some of those things.
You can, especially for him being a former athlete.
Now you don't have to be a former athlete to keep that agility.
You keep up on it and these, the flexibility comes with this.
Um, one of the cool things about exercise is the, the, the work you put
into it, you get to see the evidence of it almost instantly.
Not, not right overnight, I would say.
I don't mean I shouldn't say instantly, but it is a pretty quick process
before you start to, you wake up in the morning and like, oh, I'm a little more flexible
than I was yesterday or last week or whatever.
Oh, definitely.
I have, um, a participant who, when she first started training with us, um,
her first day, she was able to, we always do, um, 10, right?
We always do 10 of like, let's just say the wide legs squat and then we do two sets
of them.
Um, and the first time she came, she was only able to do one set of everything
of the eight exercises and yesterday, she was able to do both sets at the same speed
as us.
And so she didn't, she didn't really realize it, but I was like, hey, did you realize
that you're keeping up with us because no, it's like, oh, yeah, you did all of 10
and you did both sets.
And so it was just one of those things that when you continually come and, um, after
four weeks, she's doing it.
It's not, it's not like you said, it's not going
to be right away, but after three to four weeks, you don't realize it, but it's making
a difference.
And she's not breathing as hard and she's, um, able to control just all her movements
so much better.
So it's those little things that you don't realize, but it's making a huge impact on
your life.
It goes, it goes to so many layers that we, I don't even know if we can put in the word
sometimes what exercise can do for you.
And, uh, strong bodies for the month community is going strong as well.
It seems like.
It's definitely, um, so when we first started our first class, we had one participant.
And so I was like, hey, that's one more than yesterday.
So I was very excited, but as of right now, we have 12 registered and our biggest class
has been eight.
So we're at the point where if we started next series, we're trying to find a different
location because our current location at the Montgomery center, um, it's not going
to be big enough.
And so it's a good problem to, oh, yeah, it's definitely a good problem to have.
So we're in the talks and we're looking around for a bigger, a bigger location that's
in Wisconsin Rapids that, um, a lot of the Mung Residents know.
And so we're in the talks actually with the boys and girls club.
Um, during the day, they don't have the kiddos there.
And so, um, Jen Allen has opened that up.
So I think that's going to be where next location is.
It's a perfect house.
And so it's right there.
And many of our, um, participants go to the wire ready.
So whether they go to the Y before or after our string training class, that would be wonderful.
They love the sauna.
They love the hot tub.
So hey, why not?
That's a great idea.
Oh, good on all of you guys for coming together on that one.
I hope that works out because it sounds like a perfect fit.
Uh, and, and benefits both our nonprofits with UW Extension and our Y and boys and girls
club and all of this, uh, win, win, win all around.
Um, and, uh, when, when if you bring this back, you'll have to let us know when classes
are and everything, as far as the classes that are currently going on, can new members join
or is this already kind of a signed up thing?
So for our strong bodies that I'm currently holding for the Monk community, um, we're never
going to turn anyone away, um, everything isn't mung though.
So if you do show up, it, it, you'll know what to do still, um, but we do have a new class
starting on October 8th, um, and it goes until December 19th, that's actually being held
in Nakusa.
Um, it's on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 10 at the Nakusa area community center, um,
because of the limited space pre-registration is required.
Um, there is no fee, but they do kind of ask for a donation of $25 per session.
So it's a 12 week program.
Um, if anyone is interested, you can call the extension Wood County Office, um, the number
is 715-421-8437, it's a great place.
It's a great, um, environment to be in the, the volunteers that are, um, are teaching.
They're amazing.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
They, they're really good at what they do.
They're great, very patient too.
Oh.
I, I think one of the greatest assets to any teachers, patients, and I, I know this because
I've tried the patients of many of my teachers, um, and, and, and they, they do this very well.
Um, and that class for, that one is open to the public.
That one's open to everybody.
That's open to everybody.
Yup.
Right on.
Very cool.
Uh, you were talking in the, in talks, at least, about offering a Tai Chi for the fall
prevention and arthritis.
How is that going?
Um, so it's actually being postponed until next year, but Jack and I are in the works
of scheduling, um, we're planning a one day introduction class, hopefully at McMillan
Library.
Um, hopefully by the next time I come here with you, I'll have more information on that.
Um, if anybody is interested in attending our, um, Tai Chi for fall prevention and arthritis,
um, you can definitely call me at 715-540-8617.
Just leave your name and number and that you're interested in our Tai Chi class.
And once we get that information, um, set in stone, we'll reach right back out to you.
I'm joined by Kazooa Tao, uh, from the, uh, bilingual community health worker with UW Extension.
Uh, one of the things that I think is really cool was when you guys work together.
I know, you know, we're, and I have talked about this before where, uh, an extension worker
and another extension worker come together and work, uh, working with Jackie's got to be
a lot of fun and, and you get things done like I can only imagine that that class is going
to be, I'm looking, I'm looking forward to that.
I hope that that is able to happen and, uh, please let us know anything we, anyway, we
can help.
Okay.
I'll be reminding our audience about if you're interested in the class to leave your name
and number, uh, to be able to, uh, where they can do that as well.
Um, and can they reach out to you guys?
You were Jackie and, and leave that information.
Yes.
They can definitely call, um, that number that gave you 715-540-8617 is my personal
work phone.
Otherwise, they can definitely call our extension office.
Um, it's 715-421-840.
Uh, we'll make sure to get that information out before we wrap up today.
There's a Mung American Center local produce program coming up that I wanted to touch
on with you that this sounds really interesting.
Yeah.
So, um, Mung American Center has, um, have, oh gosh, I believe it's been happening for about
two summers now.
And it's an amazing program.
Um, so the Mung American Center, they reach out to local food growers and mainly they're
Mung farmers, but it could be anybody.
So every month it's a different farmer and, um, they bring their produce, a ready package
or B at the Mung American Center real package it for you for them.
And so, um, it's a bag of locally grown vegetables, um, to individuals or families of low
income.
And it really is the first come first serve, um, and so it is limited supply, but, um,
they do ask you to bring your ID because it's one per address.
And it's an amazing thing because this last month, um, right after our strong bodies
class, the farmers brought all their, all their goodies in and, oh my goodness, James,
let me tell you.
It was so much good.
Um, they, everybody walked out with a bag of sweet corn, a bag of, um, a musmelon.
And then, uh, they had a third bag with like tomatoes and banana peppers and bell peppers.
And it was just, it was just so many good produce and it was for, like, if it, if it was
a for a family, I would say it would be a good meal right there.
And so it was just amazing to see what the farmers are able to provide and that the Mung American
Center, um, is able to do this for our local families here in Wood County.
I mentioned all the time about how the backbone of America is our farmers in our ag industry
and how above and beyond that industry goes and, and goes to cover so much in this area
in, in our world, really.
And when you, you hear something like this, uh, my job is to talk for a living and I got
no words.
I don't know how to, what, how to perfectly describe how beautiful that is and how awesome
that is and strangers helping strangers and how we need more of that in our society,
how great that is to see.
And of course, it comes from the backbone of our society doing something like that.
It's not just them.
I don't mean to do the, the only ones doing something like that, but I never want to
normalize these amazing things that happen in our communities.
That's beautiful.
That, that is really cool to hear.
It is.
And, you know, it, it's just one of those things that you, you forget about until you hear
about it again.
Wow, it's, it's amazing is to what they do.
All the hearts went and tears they can, they put into farming, um, growing up.
I used to farm and now I'm like, I'm, I'm good, I'm good.
And so I give farmers a lot of credit for what they do day in and day out.
And so it's amazing that they're able to provide for community members who are
low income, who aren't able to afford things.
One of the things that we don't get to talk about very often, uh,
Kazooa is the locations where they find you guys.
So it's, since we got a little time here, if you don't mind, what, you got two
different locations people can find out more with our, our gang at extension.
Yes.
Um, so with the Mung-American Center, um, their local produce program, people are
able to go either to Wisconsin rappers or their Wasa location, um, in Wisconsin
rapids, it's at the Mung-American Center at two eight, two one eighth street
south, um, it's on the first Wednesday of the month.
And, um, like I said, it's usually around noon, 11 or 12 o'clock, but
you can definitely give them a call to see if it's available.
Otherwise, you can show up.
Someone's always there, um, but at the Wasa location, which is the main branch,
and as you know, Wasa has a larger farming community, um, they
have local produce every Wednesday.
And so it's an amazing thing to have.
And it, like I said before, every, every time it's a different farmer.
So it's just like they're showcasing someone else differently in different
produce.
And so it's, it's an amazing thing, um, that's at one one zero nine north street,
um, north six street in Wasa.
And so they can definitely go to do, um, to pick up at any of those locations,
but if they do have any questions about the local produce program, they can contact
B-Lore. Um, her contact information is seven one five eight four two eight three
nine zero, or you can email her at B-Lore B-E-E-L-O-R at mongamericancenter.org.
And she's very good about responding, um, but if you call that number,
just tell them that you're interested in the local produce program and they'll
direct you to her or anybody else that can help you.
Fantastic. Thank you for that information.
And I know that that's part of your job.
And we don't necessarily get to get into this very often either,
but your role as a bilingual community health worker, how do you see that?
And what exactly is your, your, your, your idea of what you do to do?
Yeah. So the bilingual community health worker, um, for the mong community is very new in extension.
Um, and so I'm kind of paving the way as they say.
And we're looking at different programs, how we can support the mong community,
but I'm the community as a whole as well.
And so I'm here to help the mong residents of Wood County with different resources.
Um, I meet with clients one-on-one.
Um, I have one specifically that doesn't want to see someone else.
So we meet one-on-one and we talk about things and I provide them different strategies
or resources or skills so that they can work through what they need to work through with.
Or if it's somebody like, hey, yesterday somebody asked,
how do I go about with energy assistance?
And so I look up the resources, um, when the time comes, I set an appointment.
We walk through it together.
I help them fill out the paperwork or we make the phone call together.
So it's all these little different things.
Um, and then there's another aspect of it with my role that I'm out in the community educating
them about the mong community, um, the history, how we can support one another.
Um, I am in the planning phases of, uh, with the local church.
We, they're interested in learning about the mong history and the culture and how
meant to help affects the mong community and domestic violence and the sexual violence, right?
So, um, we're in the planning stages but we are, we will be eventually, um, presenting
to their local church and just about all of that and how it affects the mong community because
it's like I've said to you, it's very taboo to even talk about it.
Um, there's a stigma behind it, right?
It's like, hush hush.
Don't even, nope, we're not going to talk about it.
And so we want to, I don't want to say normalize that but we want to be able to open,
be, be open about it and have that discussion with those around us, right?
And so, um, I am looking for different ways to collaborate and work together with community
members, um, right now, um, the family center and I are hosting mong youth groups at the
Wisconsin Rapids Middle School and at Lincoln High School and we are focusing a lot on
just different strategies, coping skills, different ways to support one another, what are signs
when you, um, that you can see in others for like suicide or mental health, how we can support them.
And so it, I always say it starts with our youth.
If we don't educate and we don't, um, like normalize as I say with them then no one's ever
going to be open and talk about it.
So we're starting young and we're hoping that by the time they're adults that it would be,
um, okay, and that the mong community would be more open to all of that.
Uh, one of America's superpowers is the, the, the, the, the ride range of people we have
and we are better as a country when we embrace that and we see the connections that we have
and how much better we are together and we learn more about each other's cultures and
share these things. Uh, it's one of the most beautiful tapestries you'll ever see in the world
is what America is when we are at our best and when we embrace these things. Um, this is a part
of that and this is a part of our culture, especially locally, that we've, uh, needed to do this
for a long time. That's just me speaking here. Uh, and I'm very proud of it and very happy to see
it that we're in a day and age. We're not only we're talking about a lot of these things and
not a hushed voice in a raised voice, but are also making sure that everybody is in on that
conversation and you're an integral part of that. I appreciate the work that you're doing it.
You are trailblazing right now. You are doing some very important work in this area.
Really do appreciate it. Uh, and appreciate the strong bodies work that you're doing over there.
Can we remind people as we're wrapping up how they can sign up for that, how they can find out more,
how they can find out more if they have other questions for you? Yeah. If you're interested in
the strong bodies that's starting in on October 8th in Akusa, you can definitely call the extension
office at 715-421-8437. Um, or if you're interested about our Tai Chi for fall prevention and
arthritis, that we're hoping to have an intro class in January. Um, you can definitely call the
extension office at 715-421-8440, or you can call me at 715-540-8617. Leave your name, your
number, and that you're interested in our Tai Chi class. Akusa would thank you very much for the time.
Yeah. Thank you. Say hi to all the, uh, gang at extension for us. I will.
We'll have more midday magazine coming up for you right here at 975 FM 1320 AM WFHR.
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