Giffords‘ Husband Details Rep’s Recovery to Diane Sawyer: She Gave Me a Neck Rub
- Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:04pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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In an exclusive interview with Diane Sawyer, Mark Kelly — the husband of recovering Rep. Gabrielle Giffords — said the congresswoman is making remarkable progress and his strong enough to reach over and give Kelly a neck rub. He also said that he does not hold the parents of suspected gunman Jared Loughner responsible for the young man’s actions and is open to meeting with them:
The interview, which will air in full on Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, features a candid Kelly, who said he‘s been by his wife’s side almost non-stop since the shooting last Saturday.
“Gabby’s got a long road ahead of her,” he told Sawyer. “We know that, the recovery from these kind of injuries isn’t measured in days and weeks. It’s more like weeks and months. And so she’s got a long, tough road ahead of her. But, you know, she’s a really, really tough woman.”
And while it may indeed be a long road, the journey is becoming more bearable and promising by the day, as evidenced by a story Kelly told regarding a selfless, loving act by Giffords.
Kelly said that on Sunday, Giffords reached out and gave him a 10-minute neck rub.
“[It is] so typical of her. She’s in the ICU. You know, gone through this traumatic injury. And she spent 10 minutes giving me a neck massage,” Kelly explained. “I keep tellin’ her. I’m like, ‘Gabby, you’re in the ICU. You know, you don’t need — you know, you don‘t need to be doin’ this.‘ But it’s so typical of her that no matter how bad the situation might be for her, you know, she‘s lookin’ out for other people.”
“I just stayed there because it seemed to comfort her. You know, when somebody needs to be doing that for her or needs to be doing something for her, you know, she was doing that for me,” he added.
Giffords and Kelly weren’t the only ones being comforted. Kelly also had kind words for Loughner’s parents, and admitted that he would be willing to meet with them.
“I’d probably see them. You know, I don‘t think it’s their fault. It’s not the parents fault. You know, I‘d like to think I’m a person that’s, you know, somewhat forgiving. And, I mean, they’ve got to be hurting in this situation as much as much as anybody,” Kelly told Sawyer.
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Comments (65)
Sledgehammer
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:36pmStill in my families prayers! This is great news! She sounds like one tough lady, her husband happens to fit my hero catagory!
Report Post »Center right
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:31pmShe must be a strong woman. I can not understand why she stays Democrat. She should switch to the party 0f truth. The party that really knows what it is like to be American
Please support My new Blog called Freedom Apparatus. I am a Journalism and Mass Communication Major and a Political Science and Government minor, and I also believe that we do not have enough Fiscal Conservastive Journalism in the press (believe me, it is true) and I think we need more. I am still in my first year, but figured that I should get a start now. Thank you, and God Bless you all.
Report Post »Freedom Apparatus—
http://tbladel.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/power-tactics-by-the-left
Rob
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 6:50pm“I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille!”
Report Post »libertyisnotfree
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 6:34pmGabby was one of only a few Democrats I can listen to for more than 15 seconds, I admired for her courage for standing against hot button liberal issues such as gun control and illegal immigration. I saw her many times on Greta’s show On The Record. She is very articulate and NOT a blind Progressive. In fact I regarded her as Moderate on many issues except abortion and spending. She was a wonderful and beautiful woman and I pray God in his infinite mercy heals her back to her wonderful self before incomprehensible evil took her away from us.
Report Post »TRUTHSEEKINGAL
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 6:16pmSo many of us give thanks to God the Father and his guiding Hand in the protection and healing I believe He is providing through Divine intervention.
Report Post »I had a close family member who suffered a massive MI( clot in lg vessel of heart). CPR was administered immediately, as well as defib on site( golfcourse) as they had an AED,adult electronic defibulator at the golf course. Once He arrived at the Trauma center, the clot was immed. removed and he too was placed in a medical coma in an attempt to stop or prevent brain damage. His body temp was markedly lowered, which is standard in this procedure, again to lower the brains oxygen use and needs.
Sadly after two weeks ,,,when the sedation was slowly reduced to see his state of function, he remained in a vegetative state, continued to have heart issues (probably damaged by decreased blood flow from he clot) and ultimately his wife had to make a devastating decision to discontinue supportive care. Although I don’t have any right to,nor did I attempt to influence her most difficult decision, I did feel she was under some pressure, ethically,medically and financially to make the choice she did. BTW,,this entire tragedy occurred in July and he was buried within a 2 month period. He was young and there was so much cautious optimism up unto 3 days before he passed. Those were three days that meds and nutrition were held. So I am believing in this miracle, in my mind , is truly just that, a miracle. As a health care provider, I am in no way discounting the incredible skills of the attending physicians,but rather ,that He guided them as well. In the end ,I will say that sometimes we give up in a miracle just a little to soon.I pray for and expect through faith,a complete recovery for Rep.Giffords. By His mercy and Grace.
Sparky101
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:21pmSo sorry for your loss. That is painful. Hope everyone has been able to move forward.
Report Post »mere citizen
Posted on January 20, 2011 at 12:04amJust curious how a health care provider does not know that an AED is not an adult electronic device, but an automatic external defibrillator?
Me thinks you may be involved in health care in some capacity, but most certainly not in a licensed capacity.
Report Post »Carl1
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 5:18pmPraying for her a full and speedy recovery. Must be tough for those left leaning atheists not being able to pray for her recovery?
Report Post »libertyisnotfree
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 6:36pmExcellent point CARL1.
Report Post »4X4in
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 5:11pmI would tell you to be BRAVE, SIR…… but it seems to beyond that and time for thanks
GODSPEED!
Report Post »ForeignWatcher
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 4:33pmYou two are joikinf in the wrong thread, right?
Report Post »youguysready_letsroll
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 4:13pmI am glad that she is recovering so nicely, but part of me thinks this should be a private matter and not so much in the public eye.
Report Post »dizzyinthedark
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 4:03pmIf what he says is true, I’m totally amazed at her progress! That many days out of surgery for me and I still felt like a truck hit me, was no good for anyone, let alone had any desire or strength to massage my loved one, heck I couldn’t even walk or bathe unaided! Awesome recovery Congresswoman! Keep it moving forward!
Report Post »mdlwoods
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:50pmYou know, I hadn’t thought of that but I really think you are right! Pelosi probably hired this guy as a hit-man!
Report Post »mere citizen
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:50pmI used to work in a Neuro ICU, I am now an RN with 20 years of experience, and I find this claim not to be what Mr. Kelly wants it be. Allow me to explain. There are times that someone will squeeze a hand after a head trauma, but that movement is not purposeful. It is often difficult to convince family members that what they see is not what they believe it is. As described by Mr. Kelly this act was very purposeful and she is cognitively able to make a decision to behave in a manner she would have pre-shooting. Yet what he may have experienced is his wife touching him in a way that relieved her anxiety, not having anything to do with her trying to relieve his. Think of it as a child that does things to quiet themselves. While my experience in Neuro is many years old now, I don’t think things have changed so very much that someone shot in the head and who has just come off a vent has the ability to be that purposeful in their behavior.
I wish the women well, don’t get me wrong, but I have a hard time believing this incident as he describes it. He believes it as he describes it, but I would be much more interested in what nurses and physicians would have seen. Not that we will get that information r/t privacy, yet having seen many, many family members mistaking certain things as much more purposeful and meaningful than they are, I can’t help but believe that Mr. Kelly falls into the same.
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:59pmThank you for an insightful post…I’ve seen my share (certainly not with your experience) and I understand what you are saying…We’ll pray for her steady recovery…
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:51pmWe still know so little about the human brain, how people with less damage than Gabbie never awake from coma-like trauma. She’s a fighter.
Report Post »HippoNips
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:50pmHow about staying by your wifes side instead of doing interviews.
Report Post »Rob
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 4:59pmI am with you, I would be a basket case… I wonder why he isn’t….
Report Post »Nightwatchman
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:50pmContinued prayers for Gabrielle Giffords, the victims, and their families. May God bring about good through this horrific tragedy.
Report Post »Bronco II
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:49pmI pray she recovers fully and pray she won‘t be scarred mentally by what happen to her and live her life with her family peacefully knowing she is loved not just by her family but all of Americans that prayed for her and the others for a full recovery and know they weren’t alone and they were in our hearts and minds and will be.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:25pmWonderful news!
Report Post »Rob
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:16pmI am always amzaed with these people that go on the news and chat about all their problems…if something happened to my wife or son I might never talk again…
Report Post »Shackleford
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:15pmHave any reports come out saying if she has any paralysis in any part of her body or points on her body that are numb? Her recovery’s going to be an impressive sign of the ability of DOCTORS. We should give thanks to all the people involved for being the ones completely responsible for making lemonade out of the lemons that the results when higher beings look the other way.
Report Post »FIREDUDE
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:26pmSHAKLE????
What the hell was that to mean?????
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:29pmI read somewhere she can move both arms and legs, and gave her hubby a neck massage. This is shorter than all the details, but it points to good signs.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110117/ap_on_he_me/us_congresswoman_shot
Report Post »Shackleford
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 5:08pmIt means I‘m sick and tired of people calling this woman’s tragedy and all of the other deaths a miracle. This was no miracle. This was human beings working together to make the best out of a terrible situation.
Report Post »rubintheartist
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:14pmWhy would anyone speak to Sawyer about anything? She will twist the truth and turn the subject into a progressive speach. A new animated comedy web movie shows all who the lame stream press are and why they try to pass thier brainwashing on to us.
Report Post »http://www.marcrubin.com/Hirmerica.ivnu
middleclassprophet
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:45pmYou fault the so-called “left” for exploiting this event yet all of your comments are doing just that. Talk about hypocrisy.
Showtime
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 4:53pmI wondered the same thing, RUBINTHEARTIST!
Report Post »Marlymo
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:51pmTo MCP, The American People know that the looney left and the lame stream media ALWAYS twist the truth to suit their political agenda.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:13pmI send my prayers to the Gifford’s and hope she sets a land speed record in her recovery.
Report Post »Republic Under God
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:12pmWhat a darling Gifford is. I pray she recovers fully from her injury!
Report Post »FIREDUDE
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:12pmGreat news…………………
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:11pmMovement. Things are looking up.
Report Post »mdlwoods
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:46pmMore specifically: well controlled movement! We are praying for you Congresswoman Giffords!
Report Post »fertlmind
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:09pmI wonder what she thinks about all that’s happened. Hopefully she will be able to articulate her thoughts in a way that won’t be easily exploited by the left.
Report Post »rubintheartist
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:17pmSawyer will, OF COURSE, exploit her interview for progressive wants. Take a look at this new animated comedy web movie and you’ll see why the lame stream press acts out the way they do.
Report Post »http://www.marcrubin.com/Hairmerica.ivnu
Liberal Joe
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:18pmIt’s nice that you only care that she speaks out for what you believe in. It would have been nicer if you wished her well, full recovery, or even just a speedy recovery. Instead, you wish for her to further your own political agenda.
Stay classy.
Report Post »John 1776
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:19pmOften on these type of injuries, memories around that time as lost. She may remember the event but not the shooting.
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:44pmMark and his wife are two very wonderful people, so talented, capable, and yes, beautiful. How she was decieved to become a democrat, I’ll never know.
Report Post »middleclassprophet
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:44pmYou just cannot leave it alone, can you? A wonderful story about someone recovering from a horrific event yet you STILL find the ignorance within yourself to make it political.
taskmaster78
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:45pmFertlmind, I believe the problem is she is not a ware of the division the left has done with her tragedy. She will in time be exposed to the sick twisted things that have taken place since she was injured. But only she and her husband would know the reaction. I don’t believe this will be brought out by the press because she will not blame the right or Sarah for this sad and desperate act by the left wing loony.
Report Post »middleclassprophet
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:49pm-Sparky101-
She wasn’t deceived to do anything. She chose to follow the political path that she felt most fit her interests, etc. Contrary to your closed minded view on politics, not all democrats are bad just like not all conservatives are bad. Too bad you still allow the b.s. to get in the way of commenting on a story without bringing politics into it.
Sparky101
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:00pmMCP, all the negatives I possess, I’ve learned from trolls like you.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:01pmhave to agree with sparky…from what I’ve read about Ms. Gifford…I too don’t think she would be very proud of her fellow democrats..and might decide to come back to the “right” side…if thats political..so be it…what a miracle though…
Report Post »middleclassprophet
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:04pmSeeing how I’ve only recently started visiting this site, I seriously doubt that. You had that market cornered l-o-n-g ago.
walkwithme1966
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:11pmIt will probably be months before she will be able to articulate that well! http://wp.me/pYLB7-wu
Report Post »Cliff
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:21pmYou know…
The two words I hate in the world… you know!
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:44pmBe honest MCP, what you shouild have said was “Seeing how I’ve only recently started TROLLING this site, I seriously doubt that. You had that market cornered l-o-n-g ago.”
And typical of trolls, you rarely read the posts you wish to insult. Case in point, in your flame to my post, you mistakenly assume I said I learned all my negatives from YOU.
That is not what I said. I said “MCP, all the negatives I possess, I’ve learned from trolls LIKE YOU.”
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:52pmI hope she get’s well and is able to leave the hospital soon. He doesn’t hold the parents responsible, I wonder if he holds anyone else besides JL?
Report Post »Kelly’s been through a lot and I pray for the both of them, but I wish the MSM would just shut up and leave it alone now.
clockn63
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:59pmI must say I’m a little disapointed in all that are making this a political story!! Please, this is a beautiful story of the remarkable recovery of a wife that adores her husband. Can’t we keep it that simple for today.
Report Post »Thank you
grandmaof5
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 4:04pmI suspect she doesn’t remember much (the mind has a great way of doing that), and hope she continues to recover until she is the Gabby everyone knew and loved. We will continue to pray for her.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 4:51pmIf the liberal media had not already twisted facts for so long and slanted coverage at every opportunity ALREADY, those kinds of remarks would not have surfaced. The liveral media is reaping what they sowed. Get off the conservatives’ backs about it already!
Of COURSE everyone wants Gabby Giffords to get well and back to normal, and that applies to the left and the right!!!
Report Post »Hub City Progressive
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 2:52amWell, I see why conservatives have a hard time with reality with all the cartoons you post. LOL!
demint.disciple
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 9:54am@LIBERAL JOE…. I don‘t know where you’ve been ( I can guess, but.) but, we already did that in the last 20 updates on Rep. Gifford….
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on January 19, 2011 at 7:18amIf THAT is your first thought when you hear this story, it’s obvious what your mind is “fertl”ized with.
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