Giffords leaves Tucson for Texas rehab center

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: MSNBC

TUCSON, Ariz. — Rep. Gabrielle Giffords left a Tucson hospital Friday and is being flown to a Houston rehabilitation center for her next steps in her recovery, less than two weeks after the Democratic congresswoman was shot in the head.

Well-wishers holding flags and signs that read "Get well Gabby" lined the ambulance's route between the hospital and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where Giffords was loaded on a specially outfitted jet.

"We want to be here to help her and show her a good farewell, and hope that she has a great recovery," said Al Garcia, a Marine veteran who came on his Harley Davidson motorcycle. "It's through all of these prayers that she's leaving in just two weeks."

A gunman shot Giffords and 18 other people Jan. 8 as she met with constituents outside a grocery store in Tucson. Six people died; all other survivors have been released from the hospital. The suspect in the attack, Jared Loughner, 22, is being held in federal custody. His motive remains unknown.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41188722/ns/us_news-life/

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[polmaven]

1. What wonderful news.

This is a remarkably strong woman, and is making such superb progress.

I wonder if she has yet been told of the other losses that happened that day.

[madrchsod]

2. i was thinking that too...

i`m not sure if they would until she is better but dam that`s one tough lady!

[Mark D.]

3. God Bless Her

I hope she has a full recovery. She gives us hope.

[PBS Poll-435]

4. Welcome to Texas, Gabby

May your recovery be swift and complete.

[Sonoman]

5. I spent two years at TIRR.

An amazing place.

Pretty much everyone there is head or spinal trauma.

I was just a drowned teenager.

When I arrived there, I could not do a thing. The only thing I knew was my name, I could not even recognize my own mother.

Two years later, I was almost fully recovered.

Sonoman

[LittleGirl]

6. wow, that's really great to hear

Thanks for sharing.

so very happy for Ms. Giffords. What a remarkable woman.

[Joanne98]

7. Doctors Say Giffords Aware of Surroundings

(CBS/ AP) Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords knows what's going on based on squeezing his hand the first day and going through streets of Tucson, said Dr. Randall Friese, Giffords' trauma surgeon at UMC in Tucson.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords smiled inside an ambulance as she heard applause during a dramatic send-off from her hometown Friday, and doctors say her transfer by jet and helicopter to a hospital in Houston went flawlessly.

"She responded very well to that - smiling and even tearing a little bit," said Dr. Randall Friese, a surgeon at the University Medical Center trauma center in Tucson. "It was very emotional and very special."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/21/national/main7270184.shtml

[Lasher]

8. Doc: Giffords heard cheers leaving Ariz., smiled

HOUSTON – Gabrielle Giffords is under intensive care at Texas Medical Center after a flawless trip from Arizona, where throngs of well-wishers gave her a farewell that brought a tearful smile from the congresswoman.

<snip>

Earlier in the day, the caravan carrying the congresswoman swept past cheering crowds as she left the hospital in Tucson, Ariz., where she dazzled doctors with her recovery from being shot in the head two weeks ago.

Children sat on their parents' shoulders as the motorcade passed. Many waved. Others carried signs wishing "Gabby" well.

"She responded very well to that — smiling and even tearing a little bit," said Dr. Randall Friese, a surgeon at the University Medical Center trauma center in Tucson who traveled with Giffords. "It was very emotional and very special."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110122/ap_on_he_me/us_congresswoman_shot