About Firle

I am a speech and language therapist with over 20 years’ experience working in NHS, academic and third sector organisations. I live in East Sussex with my husband and two children.

I completed my Stroke Association funded PhD at University College London in 2024, called “Communication partner training, cognition and aphasia.”

I believe that life does not have to stop when a communication difficulty starts. However, this requires everyone to understand what communication difficulties are and how they can adapt to make life better. Good communication is not only the responsibility of the person living with the communication difficulty.

Being able to communicate is a basic human right. When your communication suddenly changes, it can be a shock for you and your friends and family.

Aphasia, dysarthria and dyspraxia can happen after stroke, brain tumour, traumatic brain injury, infection, or with a language led dementia.

Good communication is about expressing your needs and wants. But, it is also about making connections, showing the world who you are and enjoying life with friends, family and having fun!

Outside work I spend my time with my family and friends, searching out good coffee and searching for our two cats who are always getting lost somewhere!