"she was clearly trying to hug him" (The moment when Gabby opened her eyes.)

[Clio the Leo]

*Girl Power*

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), gaggling in the Air Force One press cabin with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), on the return from Tucson from Andrews: “We were very excited that we were even going to have the chance of getting to visit her hospital room. … And when we came in the room, the doctor was there, her parents were there, Mark is there, and the Speaker -- Speaker Pelosi and Debbie and I went in. … And then Debbie and I started joking about all the things we were going to do after she got better. And we were holding her hand and she was responding to our hand-holding. She was rubbing our hands and gripping our hands so … we knew she could hear and understand what we were saying and she moved her leg, and so we knew she was responding. And the more we joked about what we were going to do, she started to open her eyes literally. And then you have to recognize, her eyes hadn’t opened -- we didn’t know that -- and so she started to struggle.

“And one of her eyes is covered with a bandage because it was damaged in the gunfire. So her eye is flickering. And Mark sees this and gets extremely excited. … And so he said, Gabby, open your eyes, open your eyes. And he’s really urging her forward. And the doctor is like perking up and everyone is coming around the bed. And she’s struggling … And then she finally opens her eyes and you could she was like desperately trying to focus and it took enormous strength from her. And Mark could just -- can’t believe it. I mean, he’s so happy. And we’re crying because we’re witnessing something that we never imagined would happen in front of us. And so Mark says, he says -- he said, Gabby, if you can see me, give us the thumbs up, give us the thumbs up … ”

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: “And she didn’t at first.”

GILLIBRAND: “… When you’re watching her eyes, she’s really trying to focus. Like you could see she hadn’t opened her eyes in days. And then instead of giving the thumbs up, she literally raises her whole arm, like this … It was unbelievable. And then she reaches out and starts grabbing Mark and is touching him and starts to nearly choke him -- she was clearly trying to hug him … And we were just in tears of joy watching this and beyond ourselves, honestly. And then Mark said, you know, touch my ring, touch my ring. And she touches his ring and then she grabs his whole watch and wrist. And then the doctor was just so excited. He said, you don’t understand, this is amazing, what’s she’s doing right now, and beyond our greatest hopes.”

http://www.politico.com/playbook/

[babylonsister]

1. This gave me chills in a very good way! nt

[Gman]

2. When my son had a very serious head injury and was in a coma

there was a point about 72 hours after the injury when he was responding less and less. The doctor and nurses called me in to talk to him to try to get him to respond. I talked to him in a loud, serious "daddy voice" telling him I needed him to move this and that and open his eyes. He responded. Everyone in the room yelled Yay! That's what watching these two describe what they did reminded me of. Gabby's mind became involved in what they were talking about and she responded. This has huge implications for how well she will recover and whether she will be herself. It appears to me she could be very much if not completely her old self.

[Clio the Leo]

5. well, the Dr.'s reaction says it all doesn't it....

... and I know we're all hoping for a miracle to come out of this tragedy.

[Happyhippychick]

6. Couldn't read this and not respond

I'm so very glad your son got through his trauma.

[Gman]

8. Thanks.

He was 12 year old when it happened and now he's 32 and works in IT. He has some slight balance problems as a result but that's all. There is so much more they can do now than they could 20 years ago. There are much better medications and much better treatments. Every brain injury is different. Ever since I have a real empathy for anyone with a brain injury and especially for children as I know what it does to the family.

[mtnsnake]

12. I'm glad things worked out well for your son, Gman

Every brain injury is different. Ever since I have a real empathy for anyone with a brain injury and especially for children as I know what it does to the family.

There's been so much focus lately on TV about brain injuries, especially on sports shows and also the injuries suffered by our soldiers (TBI). It's really a serious issue, whether it's concussions or something else, and thank goodness they're giving it so much more attention than they used to.

[sellitman]

7. I hope he is ok now.

My son went through 2 brain tumor operations in the past 3 years and I know a little of what you and the Giffords are going through. Somehow you get through it.

[Ninga]

11. hugs to you nd or famiy.......

[Gman]

13. Yup, and you don't know how you did it.

You don't know a little. You know a whole lot. At least my experience was over in a few weeks. Your's probably seems like it just keeps going and probably you wonder when the next time will be. I can imagine that even though he's cured now, that you worry not if, but when the next time will be while simultaneously hoping its over. My heart and prayers go out for you, your family and your son.

[mtnsnake]

3. What a surreal moment that must have been

Can you imagine the joy being felt in the room at that time?

And what a nice account of it given by Senator Gillibrand. We're really proud of her here in NY. She's been a good senator so far, and she always acts like such a classy person. She really seems to care.

[Uzybone]

14. the story is never told at the beginning

I have never been more wrong about a politician than I have been about Senator Gillibrand. I thought she was just centrist flim flam. She has proven to be one of the best Democrats in government today.

Patterson will always have my gratitude for picking her.

[snappyturtle]

4. I'm a tough ol' crow and don't cry much until now....wonderful! nt

[Jennicut]

10. I am crying now too. Really wonderful news to hear.

[Phx_Dem]

9. Oh man. God bless you Gabby! n/t