BIGFORK — A woman is using her ice cream and frozen treats truck in Bigfork to raise money and bring awareness to Aphasia.
Becky Forbis is using frozen treats and ice cream to give back to a community close to her heart.
If you look at Becky Forbis you can't tell she's different from anyone else -- it’s not until she speaks you noticed her speech pattern is different.
"It's a dissection of an artery in my brain. I had a terrible cold, I coughed so hard it literally blew it apart,” explained Forbis.
As a result, Becky now lives with the impacts of aphasia.
University of Montana Clinical Assistant Professor Jenna Griffin noted that aphasia can impact one’s ability to speak, listen and write.
“Aphasia is an acquired language disorder. It most often results from stroke or a traumatic brain injury and it can affect an individual's ability to produce and comprehend language. So, it affect reading, writing speaking and listening,” said Griffin.
Aphasia left Becky literally speechless and she spent several weeks in rehab at Benefis hospital in Great Falls.
Griffin says the condition affects two and three million people worldwide and one of those people was a dear childhood friend of Forbis’ named Bonnie Kraut.
Forbis said Bonnie was on her mind during her difficult diagnosis.
Wanting to honor Bonnie and bring awareness to aphasia, Forbis and her sister in law started the Polka Dot Cow truck, serving ice cream and frozen treats.
The Polka Dot Cow truck is one of the few ice cream trucks that serves Dole Whip, a pineapple based frozen treat.
Five percent of all proceeds and all tips go towards the Big Sky Aphasia program and the Bonnie Kraut memorial fund.
Bonnie Kraut's sons Thor and Thane say it's an honor Forbis can pay tribute to their mother.
Forbis has come a long way while continuing to advocate for those affect by aphasia every day.
"Other people that have had a brain injury or stroke or something like that and have this disorder there is hope out there and you can do it!” said Forbis.
Only open for seven weeks, the Polka Dot Cow has raised $600 for the Big Sky Aphasia Program and the Bonnie Kraut Memorial Fund.
The next stop for the Polka Dot Cow is the Western Montana Fair.
You can find out where the Polka Dot Cow is by checking out their Facebook page.
