About Us

Friends of AphasiA

At Friends of Aphasia, we are dedicated to truly changing the lives of individuals and families living with aphasia through the following endeavors:

  • providing high-quality, patient-centered aphasia services, including a comprehensive aphasia group program, community support teams, and technology resources, to anyone who might benefit
  • developing and implementing community education, advocacy, and outreach programs
  • promoting research aimed at advancing innovative and effective aphasia treatment approaches

Through these efforts, we aim to give real hope to those struggling to speak, understand, read, and write.

What We Do

We are a nonprofit organization that offers aphasia conversation and activity group sessions in-person at our office in Tucson, as well as online, virtually. The goal of all our sessions is to foster group communication and socialization.

Our aphasia groups are explicitly offered to help people with aphasia improve and regain communication skills and to build community with others who not only can fully relate, but are also supportive, non-judgemental and encouraging.

For clarity, we are not an aphasia support group, meaning, we do not conduct sessions to talk about Aphasia. However, the majority of our members find solace in this FoA community.

Our Vision

A world in which aphasia does not limit quality of life.

Our Mission

Friends of Aphasia strives to enhance the lives of those living with aphasia, including individuals who have aphasia, their families, and their community, through efforts to support the following:

  • access to quality, patient-centered aphasia therapy services focused on participation in meaningful life activities;
  • development and implementation of community education, advocacy, and outreach programs; and
  • research aimed at advancing innovative and effective aphasia treatment approaches.

Our Philosophy

We embrace the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA)

  • LPAA is a general philosophy and model of service delivery (not a specific type of therapy)
  • Focus is on re-engagement in life
  • Places the life concerns of those affected by aphasia at the center of all decision making

Our History & Founders

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who is living with aphasia, co-founded Friends of Aphasia in 2018 to increase the resources available to others living with this life-changing disorder.

Fabiane (Fabi) Hirsch Kruse

Fabiane (Fabi) Hirsch Kruse

Co-Founder

Fabiane (Fabi) Hirsch Kruse, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, has over 25 years of experience as a certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Her clinical focus is communication disorders resulting from stroke, head injury, and neurological diseases. Her passion is making life better for people living with aphasia.
Gabrielle Giffords

Gabrielle Giffords

Co-Founder

Gabby Giffords served in the US Congress from 2007 to 2012. On January 8, 2011, at a “Congress On Your Corner” event with her constituents in Tucson, Arizona, she was shot in the head from near point-blank range. She has first-hand experience with the struggles of aphasia and is determined to help others live successfully with this disorder.
Suzy Gershman

Suzy Gershman

Co-Founder

Suzy Gershman has worked as an educator, a vice president of a large business, and an event planner. She became interested in aphasia when she observed the work Fabi and Gabby were doing. She saw the progress that Gabby made and wanted to get involved. She facilitates aphasia groups at the Aphasia Center of Tucson.