HOUSTON — Rep. Gabrielle Giffords returned home to her astronaut husband Wednesday, leaving behind a Houston hospital where she began to rebuild her life after a gunman shot her in the head five months ago.
Giffords’ release begins a new phase in her recovery. She struggles to speak and walk and will need daily, intensive therapy. Whether she will ever recover enough to resume her congressional duties is still unknown.
Her husband, Mark Kelly, and doctors at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital emphasize that going home is a key milestone and could help stimulate Giffords’ progress.
“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.”
Giffords, 41, will go to the hospital each day from her husband’s residence near the Johnson Space Center.
The Associated Press
