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Samantha Sais / Reuters, file
Gabrielle Giffords waves to the crowd with husband Mark Kelly at her side after voting in Tucson on June 12.
PHOENIX - Former Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was gravely wounded in a mass shooting that killed six and injured 12 others, moved back home to Tucson on Sunday, her husband said.
"Moving back to Tucson today," tweeted her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly. "Gabby has been waiting for this day for a long time.
Kelly said the couple was returning to Tucson from Houston, where she underwent intensive rehabilitation after being shot through the head at a meet-and-greet event with constituents in Tucson about 18 months ago. Among those killed were a 9-year-old girl and a federal judge.
Loughner pleads guilty to Tucson shootings, avoids death penalty
Giffords, 42, resigned from office in January to focus on her recovery. She visited Tucson several times since the mass shooting that occurred outside a supermarket.
"She's gone home before to visit, but this is different," Kelly was quoted as saying in the Arizona Daily Star. "She'll be home for good. She's very, very happy."
Moving back to Tucson today. Gabby has been waiting for this day for a long time.
— Mark Kelly (@ShuttleCDRKelly )#fb https://twitter.com/ShuttleCDRKelly/status/234645866777026560
"Since the day she basically realized that she was not in Arizona anymore after her injury ... very early on, the first stuff she talked about was getting home," Kelly told the newspaper. "But it was very important for her to be in Houston, where she was able to get very specific therapy for this type of injury. She did that for a year and a half and the second we realized that was going to start winding down, it was time for us to start looking forward to how we could get to Tucson."
The two recently bought a home in the city, the newspaper added.
Saul Loeb / EPA
A look at the Arizona lawmaker's rise to prominence — from high school to Capitol Hill.
The accused gunman in the shooting spree, Jared Loughner, 23, has pleaded guilty to 19 counts under a plea agreement that guarantees he will spend the rest of his life in prison. He is to be sentenced in November.
Giffords makes rare public appearance to accept award
A federal Bureau of Prisons psychologist observing Loughner concluded in an April report released Thursday that he was mentally competent to stand trial for the shooting, but there was no guarantee he would remain so given his fragile state.
Jared Lee Loughner will spend the rest of his life in jail for killing six people and wounding others, including then-Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, during a 2011 shooting rampage in Arizona. NBC's Miguel Almaguer reports.
Christina Pietz also concluded that Loughner’s status "may wax and wane" and could seriously worsen under the pressure of a trial.
Her assessment is part of what led his lawyers to conclude that a guilty plea was the wisest move.
Medication was controlling the psychotic symptoms of Loughner's schizophrenia, Pietz said.
'As much of a normal life as possible'
Giffords, meanwhile, appears to have made great strides in her recovery since the shooting, and has shown significant improvement in her physical strength, particularly in her ability to walk unaided.
Arizona Democrats hold on to Giffords' congressional seat
In Aug. 2011, she prompted a standing ovation from members of Congress on her first return to the House floor since the shooting.
On the one-year anniversary of the shooting Giffords recited the Pledge of Allegiance in front of a hometown crowd, the Daily Star reported, but just two weeks later she resigned from Congress.
Kelly and Giffords took a holiday from her grueling rehabilitation schedule over the summer, traveling through Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain, the Daily Star reported.
PhotoBlog: Gabrielle Giffords summits French Alps
"She's getting to the point with some things she needs less than others. You know, it's time for her to get back to as much of a normal life as possible after this type of catastrophic injury," Kelly said, according to the paper. "Obviously, a big thing for her is to come home."
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
Fantastic, so now we only need to get rid of all the guns in the hands of the public and the police in Arizona, instead of just painting tragidy over, and continuing this insanity business as usual.
Yes, I did also mean the police killing over 750 people and children last year(US).
Now everyone should have seen that UK police had no guns on their body, in normal daily routines, only when apprehending a bank robber etc.
Well Bundagaard...
Maybe they needed 'killen'... Pilgrim!
btw
Do the UK police coordiate bank robberies and other crimes with the criminal's schedules when they figure out when they need to carry weapons?
They must.
Who knew? Cops and robbers emailing each other.
Best of luck to you and your family Gabby. You are one tough and courageous lady!
Happy to see that she has recovered as well as she has, she has a very supportive and loving husband! Here's to better days!! :)
Great story and all, glad she is recovering so well, but really, it's time to move on, give the lady some peace. People die tragically or are wounded every day, we don't really need to know anymore about this lady. Let's let her be and move on already.
Hurray for Ms. Gifford! God is truly Jehovah Raffa our healer! I am so proud of her and greatful that she is in the healing process. Take care of yourself and continue to be a light for your state of AZ!!!!!!
I think Gabby Giffords is a fabulous lady who has overcome indescrible physical and emotional pain, all the while in the public limelight. Because she is who she is, she was focused on. She is the symbol of those others who were injured and killed, by virtue of her public persona. Be glad she is doing so well, and wish her the best.
As stated earlier I am disgusted by the fact that the media only focuses on her, the POS Loughner and never mentions the other victims.
However, I am happy she survived, that there was an amazing hero right there who knew how to treat her at the scene and that she is now, as best she can, returning to a normal life.
Best Wishes to the Gifford Family. Take some time for yourselves for once!!
proudamericanveteran - there is something called HIPPA health information privacy protection act - information MAY NOT be released w/o the patient's permission. Most victims want to forget. Others with Giffords' injuries have died, great health care or not, so her survival and recovery is noteworthy on that alone.
I'm glad she was able to get away from her grueling rehab schedule and take that long rest travelling through Switzerland, Italy, France & Spain. When does the VA's post-rehab "European Vacation!" program start? I'm sure that many of our wounded warriors and their spouses could use a de-pressurizer like a month or two on the sunny Riviera... or maybe an inter-national road trip across the European continent...or maybe go hob-snobbing with Great Britain's inbred elite (Officers Only Please!) ;>)
OK, I'm done being scathingly funny now. I'm glad Giffords is back up and around and wish her the best. But seriously, resting from a "grueling" rehab by taking a 4 nation tour of Europe? If it had been up to me Giffords would have gone to a military/VA Hospital for her treatment and shared in the same standard of treatment afforded to our wounded, ill and injured Service-members and Disabled Veterans. She would have also been recieving a comparable pay, retirement and disability compensation(after awaiting her turn in the 300,000 person processing backlog)....But you all go on and vote in the RepubliFvckMeOverAgains and the Spendercrats in the next election. Sure. THEY"LL make things right this time around- NOT!
VOTE 3RD PARTY LOCAL TO NATIONAL
PS- They need another pic of Loughner. This time slap him across his smirking mouth before pressing the button, or maybe catch him in the morning after he's been Bubba's bitch o' da night.
So you want the VA to buy your vacation? You are mad that she took a vacation after her husband retired. I can tell you are mad, but about what? I go to the VA, and the treatment has been phenomenal.
It is tragic that a MURDERER should be able to live out his life while taxpayers pick up his tab. It is also a tragedy that there is not a SPEEDY TRIAL, especially in cases where there are many witnesses.
Now, why is it that Major Major Nader Hasan MURDERED 13 people, wounding others in Nov. 2009 and has not been even been brought to trial? Could it be because he is a Muslim and might upset the Muslim community? First of all we have to start using the CORRECT terminology. He did not KILL...he MURDERED. Kill is when you are defending yourself. He planned it and he executed his plan. If he was 'INSANE', well, too bad for him. In the next world the CREATOR will take care of what needs to be taken care of.
We have to take care of it in this world.
This is why the TORAH (First Five Books of Moses-Book of Instruction and LAW of the Creator) says that there is ONE LAW for the HOME BORN and for the stranger. SAME LAW.
It does not means that there is a different LAW for special interests groups. Nor does it mean that when a policeman is shot and/or MURDERED that the LAW should be different (as far as bringing to justice) than for anyone else.
And for the BLEEDING HEARTS, if you can bring back those who were MURDERED, then and only then, can MERCY be considered and that mercy would have to be extended by the those that the act was purportrated against.
In other words, there no mercy for MURDER.
May Messiah Yahushuah come quickly in our days.
So you want only a short trial? No trial? Death penalty in all cases? No insanity defense?
Buffaloes Roam
NO insanity defense. In reality, ALL murders are "insane". No rational person murders another for no reason.
COuld the answer to your question about Major Hasan be that the military is going thru the steps to assure his trial hs fair etc. Lets not say because he is Muslim that his trial is being delayed, or any other cr^p like that. How long did it take to bring OJ to trial or the Oklahoma City Bomber.
By waiting for this POS to be declared sane makes any conviction less likely to be overturned on appeal - the prosecution did not have to take a deal they could have taken him to trial, but why cost the taxpayers of AZ the cost of a huge trial. And if you check statistics it costs more to get a convicted killer executed than a life sentance costs.
ANd Buffaloes Roam - just think how many folks have been found not guilty via DNA evidence years after being convicted on "eyewitness testimony". (NO IAM NOT SAYING LAUGHNER WOULD GET OFF VIA DNA) but what I am saying is that the convict on Monday-execute on Friday mindset is dangerous.
I personally like it the way we have it. I was asking him what he wanted. He is mad about something.
Nice to start the week with a feel good story. She is an inspiration. We could all learn from here -- especially the cretins above who are carping about her. Get a life! Find something real to complain about!!!
Yes, Gabby has Primo Care and she shoved ObamaCare down our throats.
Kim, she paid for that "Primo" care, out of her salary. Then, since she was injured on the job, Workmen's Compensation kicked in too. (Everyworker is covered by that) When Obamacare is fully implemented, guess what!, Congress is covered by it!! So she 'shoved' it down her own throat, too, and thet of her fellow Federal Legislators.
Listen you pin heads out there that call Arizona and its people a bunch of red neck gun happy nuts I lived there for eighteen years and first of all its a great state to live in and its people are hard working as any place I have been to. Theres nothing wrong with being able to protect yourself and if some of those poor souls had been carrying just maybe alot of what happen could have been avoided. You pin heads think you live in a perfect world and the police will always be there to save you. There will always be crazy insane people in this world and nothing you do will prevent that so stop trying to act like if we all turned in our guns we would be safe little munchkins. I agree that Misses Gifford wasn't the only one shot and I to don't understand why they don't talk more about that poor child whos life was ended at such a young age. Please don't expect me to feel sorry for these people who work in government and enjoy the best health care in this country while alot of us have to go without to pay our health care bills. Instead of trashing Az. why don't you try electing someone who will have this country and its people come first. No wonder were in the shape where in with morons out there who couldn't walk a straight line without the government holding there hand. I to didn't agree with Misses Giffords policies but she or any of the others who were shot that day didn't deserve that. At least that retard won't have the chance to hurt anyone else out here. Its people like him that give gun owners a bad name.
Good to see Gabriele Giffords going home. She went to the best hospital in the United States for her physical therapy(Memorial Hermann) and I am glad she has recovered. My prayers go out to the families of that incident that lost their lives.
On a side note: If this happened to you or I you would be taken to a local hospital and hope you would survive. If you did recover the hospital bills would probably force you into bankruptcy whereas our elected officials have health care that takes care of everything at taxpayer expense. Shouldn't our elected officials have the same health care as its citizens without the taxpayers subsidy?
Just saying.
Giffords paid premiums for her healthcare insurance - it was not free for her. Also, since she was injured on the job - having a public meeting with her constituents, Workmen's Compensation also kicked in. All workers are covered by that. So yes, I think it would be wonderful if everyone could have great insurance, as did the Congress when it passed Obamacare and specifically included itself in the program.
Bull. On all points.
Here we are a nation that put a man on the moon and a computer in every lap and we claim to be the greatest nation on the planet, but we can't provide universal health care for all of our citizens. We have plenty of bucks to throw around when republicans gain control of the Presidency and both houses, the problem for the nation beginswhen they leave power and the house of cards they left behind collapses. Then they get a chance to point their fingers at the incoming administration as not being "frugal" enough and blockk all attempts at job creation while they attempt to enact their American Taliban morality standards on the rest of us. One thing about republicans from Reagan onward, they know how to reward their cronies.
REGARDLESS of political beliefs NO ONE deserves to get shot. So glad Gabby is doing well. God has looked out for her and gave her a blessing and now she lives and stands today :-)
Yeah right they will not stop sensationalizing her killer/shooter for political reasons I would assume. They will push for gun control while they build more nukes. Hipocrisy is not democracy. Good vs Evil, good won this time..People kill with or without guns argue your hearts out ..
It is just so sad and unfair that this bright lovely woman with such an amazing career had everything derailed because of this deranged sicko. I am a republican and this has sickened me.
To put his face on here with our lady was poor taste , this was my first reaction.. Not again ! why do they put his face there , to remind us of the creep while we honor her.? They want us to be angered or happy she is going home. Be happy but do not forget her killer ? what is it ?
Welcome home Gabby! You are a True Hero!
Don't worry Ajgorm, he won't be forgotten... At least not in a good way...
Now can we quit hearing every detail about her? For those outside Arizona that sounds cruel, but here in Arizona they write a 20 paragraph story every time she farts or smiles and every story is all the same repetitive crap.
Wishing you and Mark all the best now and in the future.
I know your injuries were horrendous, but you persevered and have made tremendous strides in your recovery. I hope you continue making progress in the future.
Best wishes to the Gifford family as they take time for themselves at home and reflect on what's important the rest of their lives, each other I'm sure. Just so much waste of life do to the mental instability of the insane shooter and I'm glad he's behind bars the remainder of his life and too bad the death penalty was not optioned.
Can we really ever forgive . I bet you Gabby will forgive him because that is the type of peron she is.
she is ugly.
Only in the light.