CCJC: Audio Podcast Episode 00064, Season 2
The Stillness Within: A Daughter's Poignant Journey
Gather around for a story from the very heart of Cajun Chronicles Podcast Corporation. We believe in the power of our voices, oui, to connect, to heal, and to shine a light on the corners of Louisiana life that often go unseen.
Today we are pulling back the curtain a little further, deeper than just our staff bios and bayou tales. We want you to meet Anastasie, the bright, spirited daughter of our very own Jean Dugas that we’ve spoken about previously. Her journey, touched by the very muddy waters of a cruel and rare illness called Friedreich’s Ataxia, has become a powerful Mississippi River current in the very waters of our podcast’s poetic inspiration.
She is sharing her profound story of inner strength, a truth to the resilience we Cajuns know so well, even when faced with a challenge as serious and complex as this. Listen close to the quiet storm within Anastasie. Let’s hold fast to the good in our hearts, even when times are hard, just like Anastasie.
The Silent Battle Ground Within - by Anastasie Dugas © 2025
The NOLA world outside, a constant exciting rush of blues jazz sound and light,
However, here I fight a quiet Louisiana Cajun unseen battle day and night.
My thoughts, a teen torrent, not always clear, sharp or keen,
While my body, the traitor with limbs betrays what might have been.
Still I dream, still I see, set me free!
At podcast publicity events I see the other dancer, metal swift and free and bold,
Friedreich’s Ataxia, story shutters, never to free me from the wheelchair grip or unfold.
Each movement measure in pain, every footstep I cannot take led,
By a body weary in will, a constant, silent embarrassing plea,
To borrow and dream of moments of what once used to, but now cannot ever be.
Still I dream, still I see, set me free!
The uncertain future stretches, painfully blurred and always out-of-reach indistinct,
Path uncertain, cruel stares devoid of empathy, wherever I go, real & imagined, subtly linked.
With alienating shadows glare deep, where suspect laughter and rudeness, still blooms,
And depression hues of being different, now sometimes fade into the eyes like stones of gloom.
Still I dream, still I see, set me free!
No caring mother’s hand to soothe my rising betrayal why-me fear,
The missing love puzzle, a hollow echo, ever elusive drawing near.
The mother’s love warm I crave, that certainly is a phantom on the Gulf breeze,
Leaving a chill of unworthiness, that penetrates my mind with ease.
A silent screaming question of why-me left Spanish Moss hanging in the air,
A love-that should have been gifted, a childhood rejection burden still hard to bear.
Still I dream, still I see, set me free!
Yet in my steely wheelie cage, my spirit finds the will to keep carrying on this fight,
Though art and music painted strokes and notes, the words arrive that shine so bright.
I love chasing historical & scientific true life-long wisdom of ages knowledge to behold,
A thousand stories waiting to be discovered, a universe of stories still to be told
And though my body continues to falter, more and more, day by day,
My inner freed landscape through my art and word landscapes will not fade away.
Still I dream, still I see, set me free!
Perhaps a cure the future holds, or even just gifts me a different saving grace,
I pray for a growing strength to be discovered in this life draining quiet slow space.
Show me a way to touch the outside world with my story, though my shaky touch is frail,
Give me a voice to rise above this dark shadowed getting well mobility trail.
For even still, a splash of color, a flicker of sweet notes, can NOLA magic ignite,
Let me fragile hope deep from within my heart and my might not be sentenced to fading light.
Still I dream, still I see, set me free!
Que notre force intérieure soit notre boussole, même quand le chemin à venir est incertain, et écoutez bien la tempête tranquille en Anastasie.
May our inner strength be our compass, even when the way ahead is uncertain, and may we always listen close to all of the quiet storms within the Anastasie’s of this world. They lead the way.
Our poems, lyrics, recipes, and tales are inspired by real Louisiana and New Orleans history and non-fictional stories, but some details may have been spiced up for a good story. While we've respected the truth, a bit of creative license could have been used. Please note that all characters may be based on real people, but their identities in some cases have been Avatar masked for privacy. Others are fictional characters with connections to Louisiana.
A Word of Wisdom:
As you read, remember history and real life is a complex mix of joy, sorrow, triumph, and tragedy. While we may have (or not) added a bit of fiction, the core message remains: the human spirit's power to endure, adapt, and overcome.
© Jerilee Wei 2025 All Rights Reserved.
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