U.S. Rep. Giffords released from Houston hospital, more than five months after shooting

[News_Editor]

U.S. Rep. Giffords released from Houston hospital, more than five months after shooting

2011-06-16 10:41:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

HOUSTON, TEXAS (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was released from a Houston rehabilitation facility on Wednesday, more than five months after the Tucson assassination attempt at one of her rallies, the hospital said.

The Arizona congresswoman was critically injured on January 8 when suspected 22-year-old gunman Jared Loughner opened fire outside a supermarket in northwest Tucson, where Giffords was holding a rally. The shooting attack killed six people, including a 9-year-old girl, and injured 14 others.

The U.S. Congresswoman was moved to Houston for specialized medical treatment on January 21 after her condition had slightly improved. She was later admitted at the TIRR rehabilitation center on January 26.

"Congresswoman Giffords has shown clear, continuous improvement from the moment she arrived at TIRR five months ago," said Dr. Gerard Francisco, the hospital's chief medical officer. "We are very excited that she has reached the next phase of her rehabilitation and can begin outpatient treatment. We have no doubt that she will continue to make significant strides in her recovery."

Giffords will now stay with her husband Mark Kelly, a NASA astronaut, in League City, Texas. From there, she will continue to receive treatment from therapists after showing continuous improvement in her rehabilitation.

"Gabby gives her all to everything she does and that's exactly what she's been doing at TIRR since January 26," said Kelly. "The remarkable progress she has made since then is a testament to both her single-minded determination to get better and the team of medical professionals overseeing her care."

Doctors treating the Arizona congresswoman say her cognitive abilities and physical strength have improved to the point where she no longer needs to remain a patient in the hospital. Nonetheless, she will be assisted by a 24-hour home health provider.

As an outpatient, Giffords' intensive therapy program will not change. Her care will continue to be overseen by Dr. Francisco, who also serves as the chairman of the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. The congresswoman will continue to work with the same rehab team that she has worked with so far.

"This continuity of care will ensure that the congresswoman’s recovery continues to go well," Francisco said. "The benefit - and we expect it to be significant - is that she will be able to leave TIRR every afternoon."

"Anyone who knows Gabby knows that she loves being outside," Kelly said. "Living and working in a rehab facility for five months straight has been especially challenging for her. She will still go to TIRR each day but from now on, when she finishes rehab, she will be with her family."

Loughner was arrested immediately after the shooting and later charged in a 49-count indictment for the offenses against all civilians in attendance at the event. However, on May 25, the 22-year-old shooter was declared incompetent to stand trial by a U.S. federal judge after tests determined he was schizophrenic suffering from paranoia and delusions.

Loughner was ordered to be hospitalized in a U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, where he was previously examined by a staff psychologist. The tests were ordered due to Loughner's emotional problems and bizarre behavior before the shooting.

Loughner will be treated, medicated and stabilized in order to be able to face the 49 charges against him, said Robbie Sherwood, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Offic, last month.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-16