Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

An ambulance carries Gabrielle Giffords to an airport in Tuscon, where she was airlifted to Houston. Greg Bryan/AP
Gabrielle Giffords

Gabrielle Giffords could make 100% recovery, say doctors

The Congresswoman shot in the brain 14 days ago is discharged from hospital – and should retain ALL her mental abilities.

THE CONGRESSWOMAN who had a bullet enter and exit her brain just two weeks ago has been discharged from hospital, and is likely to retain all of her mental abilities, doctors believe.

Thousands applauded and cheered as Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot as she conducted an open-air meeting with constituents two weeks ago, left hospital to be transferred to a rehabilitation clinic in Houston, near the workplace of her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly.

The Houston Chronicle reported that the transfer was “flawless” – and added that Giffords smiled and began to well up with tears as she heard the rapturous applause that greeted her as she left Arizona to be brought to her air ambulance.

Giffords is set to remain in intensive care for the coming days while a fluid build-up in her brain is drained, after which she will be moved to The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research Memorial Hermann, one of the country’s top physical rehabilitation hospitals.

A close friend of Giffords from the Arizona state legislature said her family were hopeful that Giffords would be able to retain all of her mental abilities, and that their main concern was the level of strength she had in the right hand side of her body.

The Washington Post reports that Giffords will face a gruelling rehab schedule, however, with her arms also having significantly less movement than Giffords had previously enjoyed.

It adds that Giffords’ medical condition may have been much worse, but for a standard issue $99 first aid kit that recently became standard issue for all police officers in the state.