New Aphasia Documentary Shows How Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down

The world is soon going to know a lot more about aphasia. Variety reports that a new documentary is being made about Gabby Giffords, who experienced aphasia following a gunshot wound. Many people learned about aphasia when she powerfully delivered a speech at the Democratic Convention a few years ago. And they’ll learn more about aphasia when Betsy West and Julie Cohen (who made the film RBG) create a documentary about Giffords’s recovery titled Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down.

West and Cohen explained why they wanted to make this film in the Variety article:

The intelligence, humor, and toughness she brings to every personal and political challenge that comes her way make Gabby not only an ideal documentary subject but also a spectacular human being to spend time with.

 

It’s a sentiment echoed by our community during a chat when we discussed Giffords’s speech at the Democratic Convention and how she uses her platform to educate people about aphasia:

95% of people on the call were glad that Gabby Giffords used her time on the national stage to shine a light on aphasia.

We asked people to describe how they felt hearing her words. There were the accolades: wonderful, terrific, inspiring, awesome, great, and groundbreaking. But there was also gratitude expressed. One person called her an ambassador, and another said that it made her feel less alone. Moreover, many agreed that they felt moved to be an advocate, too, even if it’s in their day-to-day life and not on a national stage.

Fabi Hirsch Kruse, Giffords’s speech-language pathologist, stated her wish for the movie to the NAA. “I hope people walk away with a recognition and deep understanding of aphasia and, importantly, that people who have aphasia can continue to improve for years and years.”

According to Yahoo News, no release date has been set, though the film is near completion. We’ll post again when we find out when and where the film is airing.

Read more about Gabby Giffords’s story:

Profiles of Aphasia: Gabby Giffords

Gabby Giffords Is Treating Aphasia with Music

Aphasia Can Happen to Anyone

Image Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America