Giffords Makes Big Gains

Posted on Jan 13, 2011

Wikimedia Commons / U.S. Congress

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords continues to amaze her doctors with her recovery from the brain injury she sustained in Saturday’s shooting. On Thursday, the word “miracle” was once again invoked as her medical team reported her progress, announcing that she had opened her eyes and was communicating through gestures.  —KA

Update: CNN reported some moving details from two of Giffords’ close friends in Congress.

Los Angeles Times via Google News:

Lemole said he was there when Giffords first opened her eyes Wednesday evening in the presence of family members and some of her colleagues from Congress. “It was probably a combination of the unexpected but familiar that prompted her to open her eyes and caused her to look around. That implies that the part of the brain that lets us awake from sleeping, the arousal center,” is functioning.

[...] Lemole said it is the job of doctors to do their best for severely damaged patients, but sometimes, as in Giffords’ case, “we are wise to acknowledge miracles.”

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