Sneak Peek into Gabby Giffords’ Book: Vows Return to Congress, Recalls Being Shot
- Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:42pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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PHOENIX (The Blaze/AP) — When President George H.W. Bush came to visit her in the hospital, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords could say only “Wow!” and another word she had been uttering frequently at the time, “chicken.”
Months later, when she was shown photos of famous people to see if she recognized faces, Giffords looked at Arnold Schwarzenegger and replied, more or less accurately: “Messin’ around. Babies.”
These and other details emerge in a new book written by Giffords and her husband that offers the most personal look yet at her slow, agonizing recovery after being shot in the head at point-blank range.
The memoir, titled “Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope,” describes Giffords’ efforts over the past 10 months to relearn how to walk and talk, and her painful discovery that six people were killed in the Jan. 8 attack outside a Tucson grocery store.
The Associated Press purchased an advance copy of the book, which is set for release Nov. 15.
The book is written from the perspective of her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly. But Giffords herself delivers the last chapter – a single page of short sentences and phrases called “Gabby’s Voice” in which she says her goal is to get back to Congress.
“I will get stronger. I will return,” she wrote.
The book also reveals that the couple, who got married in 2007, was trying to have a baby. Giffords, 41, had undergone several rounds of fertility treatments in the last few years and had hoped to get pregnant early in 2011.
The book does not say whether Giffords will seek re-election next year. Kelly said the couple did not want to rush a decision. The deadline to formally declare her intentions is in May.
Aides have repeatedly emphasized that her focus is on recovery and that there is no timetable for making a decision about her political future. The Arizona Democrat was shot just days after being sworn in for her third term.
Giffords stunned colleagues by appearing on the House floor Aug. 1 to vote for the debt ceiling deal, but she has largely avoided the public eye, spending most of her time at TIRR Memorial Hermann, a rehabilitation center in Houston.
Some Democrats had hoped that Giffords would use her newfound fame to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Jon Kyl. But a Democratic strategist said Giffords has told Democrats in Arizona that she will not seek a Senate seat. The strategist spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss her plans.
In the memoir, Kelly recounts trying to tell his wife several times that she had been shot while meeting with constituents. But she didn’t fully understand until March 12.
Kelly asked Giffords if she remembered being shot, and she replied that she did, although he said it was hard to know if she really did. She described what she recalled with three words: “Shot. Shocked. Scary.”
Later that day, Kelly told her that six other people had been killed. Giffords was overcome with emotion and had trouble getting through her therapy.
It wasn’t until July, weeks after being released from the Houston hospital to Kelly’s home 25 miles away, that she learned who had been killed: a staff member, a federal judge, a 9-year-old girl and three other people Giffords did not know.
Twelve other people were wounded.
The suspect in the attack, Jared Lee Loughner, has pleaded not guilty to 49 charges. He is being forcibly medicated at a Missouri prison facility in an effort to make him mentally fit for trial.
When Kelly first saw Giffords after the shooting, she was in a coma, with her head partially shaved and bandaged, her face black and blue, and her body connected to tubes. He told her he loved her and assured her she would survive.
He said the darkest moment came later in Texas: Giffords realized she couldn’t talk and panicked. Her eyes widened with fear, and she cried uncontrollably.
The book also offers lighter moments, like when former President Bush and his wife, Barbara, visited the Texas hospital, and when Giffords recognized the picture of Schwarzenegger and made an apparent reference to the former California governor’s marital troubles.
Many people with brain injuries struggle to find the right words and repeat the same words and phrases. She eventually learned to talk again. Kelly said she was good at completing passages from the Constitution and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
The book was co-written by Jeffrey Zaslow, who collaborated on Randy Pausch’s million-selling “The Last Lecture.”
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Comments (81)
karukaru5
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:53amShear Democratic B.S. Other people were shot Too!
Report Post »poorrichard09
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 9:03amI wish her well in her life, but all due respect we’ve got enough brain damaged dems in DC already. These effing dems won’t give up power for anything-unless they die like ted kennedy and robert byrd.
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:12pmI’m sorry for this woman getting shot, I think we all agree with that. The others who were killed at this event were kinda left out for the price they paid for being there.
Report Post »Knowing that Gabby is personal, close friends with that horrid Wasserman-Schultz is enough to make me hope she goes into retirement, as I’d hate to have W-schultz tell her how to vote. Arizona needs people who can think for not only themselves, but for the best for their State.
teebubba
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 2:01pm@Oneshiner…At the time of the shooting I had a gut feeling that W-Schultz was exploiting her what would appear to be a natural acquaintance and turning it into something it might not really have been. Truly good friends don’t act in the opportunistic political way W-Schultz did in the aftermath of the shooting. As Michael Savage might say it all looked a little too “coonveeenient” for my taste.
Report Post »Like it or not Giffords will probably hold that Congressional seat for as long as she wishes if for nothing other than an empathy vote. I suspect she will find it is too much work for her to accomplish physically after her ordeal and may not seek reelection when the time comes.
oneshiner
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 2:21pmMy gut also tells me W-Schultz is gearing up to be another Nancy Pelosi. Yikes~
Report Post »hillarie
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:48pmI‘m sick of hearing about ’Gabby’ Giffords. I have my own problems. And she should have resigned. She hasn’t been much use to the people of Arizona lying in a hospital bed.
Report Post »quickstudy
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:28amThen why did you read this article if you are sick of hearing about her? I wonder if you are really sick that she survived the attack?
Report Post »douglassoileau
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:46pmPeek a pooh,,,,,,some one stinks……………
Report Post »piper60
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:28pmThe best revenge is living well. She should retire and do just that.
Report Post »c0mm0nsense
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:16pmA book tour! Now she can become a republican and run for President.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:45pmI wish her the best physically but the last thing this country needs is another Democrat in congress. Just retire and enjoy life!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 10:30amShe’s only voted once since she was shot, let her stay as long as she wants.
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:42pmI’m Sorry…but we must be honest…medically honest.
We all know the trajectory of the bullet
and some of us are very familiar with the structures that were damaged.
Someone else has written her “speeches”…common knowledge…
which are NOT given by her.
Ghost writers create great books for politicians…and she is a politician.
Sympathy wins votes….
But…none of these will render a candidate “qualified.”
Americans need a TRUE REPRESENTATIVE,
a person capable of not only cognitive thought, but also cognitive reasoning,.
Report Post »not merely a token figure who will cast a vote determined by someone else.
Classical Liberal
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:24pmshe was competent enough to vote in august on the debt ceiling.
Report Post »joan k
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:52pm@Classical Liberal… And we have illiterates voting in every election do we not??
Report Post »babylonvi
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:04amShe was competent enough to vote as she was told to vote……like MOST members of congress.
Report Post »Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:20pmSince you only get spoon fed your news here then you may or may not know that her husband wrote the book and she only wrote the last page.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 4:35pmYeah, I read that in the story, at the top of the the page. He wrote all but last chapter, which was a single page long of short sentences & phrases. Yep, I read that.
Report Post »lwpenn
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:42pmI will be first one in line to buy this book.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 10:34amI‘m pretty sure you won’t have much competition for that spot.
Report Post »HippoNips
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:35pmit’s a terrible thing that happened to her. but she’s a vegatable now. She can not be in cogress with staff doing the decisions for her
Report Post »ChevalierdeJohnstone
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 5:36amWhat’s the difference?
Report Post »FrankSpeak
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 9:06amSomeone in a vegatative state is unresponsive to stimuli. She is mobile and talking! She may have slower reflexes, impaired speech, and other disabilities, but as a fact, ‘most’ brain injuries do not take away ones ability to decern right from wrong. None of us on this thread has a clue to the extent of her injuries, so stop with the jackazz judging! If she has not been found legally incapacitated, she is a free woman!
Report Post »Atomic
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:22pmI’m still praying for her. Hope she makes a full recovery.
Report Post »EgoBrain
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:20pmI’m much more interested in the life story of the dead child. The other victim.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:18pmGod speed & bless her in her full recovery. It will be what it will be. Enough prayers said, & God will lead her in his path.
Report Post »AZ Prosecutor
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 6:11pmThey showed her which button to push . . .
Report Post »groundzero
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:13pmI do not want to sound mean, but when she came back to vote on raising the debt ceiling., I wondered her state of mind and if that was doing the best for “the people”. I really don’t think that was right and her husband should have stepped in. Her seat should be occupy by someone now and not held if they want a vote from her seat, that just isn’t right.
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:45pmYour words are not mean…they are accurate!
You are very thoughtful
and truly want the best for this country!
We completely agree with you!
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 10:04amSometimes the truth isn’t what people want to hear. It seems everyone is so desperate to find a “hero” that they will attach the label at the drop of a dime. I’m glad Gabby recovered but I think she needs to retire. You need to be beyond mentally crisp when dealing with the criminals known as politicians. My best wishes to Gabby and her family.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:57pmApparently, the brave Mrs. Giffords’s recovery process has moved her well past the mental and verbal ability of most Blazers weeks or months ago. Great job, Mrs. Giffords!!!!
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:50pmUh….NO!
The Giffords are abusing the American people….
taking advantage of our generous nature.
It’s time for the Giffords to STOP the FRAUD
and deceit of We The People.
We Americans have been cheated enough…
Report Post »she should NOT return to Congress.
Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:22pmAmericat, you’re sad and pathetic and Gabby Giffords could beat you at Scrabble.
Report Post »OlefromMN
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:47pmWe all feel Gabby should have every chance at regaining her seat in congress. We would love to see her come back and “win one for the Gipper”. But our country is not at a point where we can play “feel good”. We need solid people with full capacity to help us out of the mess that has been thrust on us (by Washington politics) over decades.
I hope she takes that very sentiment into thought as she makes her decision. This is no longer a “game”.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:47pmI feel sorry for her and her husband over what happened. My thoughts and prayers are with for a speedy and complete recovery. But there is something unattractive in the “celebrity” circus surrounding this tragedy. It reminds me of the insincere memorial service for Senator Wellstone several years back. Never let a good tragedy go to waste, remember?
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:56pmAnd one more thing: What’s with all this FAKE FAMILIARITY? Gabby this and Gabby that. The lady’s first name is Gabrielle. Ninety nine and nine tenths times ten who call her Gabby have never met the woman, nor do they know her or her husband. So, why all the phony familiarity? Are folks so damn desperate to be part of this story that they do this for that reason? I believe so. Just more despicable liberalism on display.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 6:10pmFake Familiarity? I’m sure most of us knew her real name was not Gabby, but I‘m quite sure that everything I’ve read about her in the paper, on the internet and on TV has referred to her exclusively as GABBY. How is that fake familiarity? To our knowledge, perhaps she’s asked everyone to call her this name, otherwise, we would have seen her full name more than once over the last months.
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:29pmIt’s sad what happened especially what happened to little Christina-Taylor Green, the Grand-Daughter of former Phillies Manager Dallas Green. What I can’t understand is why was she there? A little girl aged 9 in 6th grade and interested in the polictics of the Democrat party? What else can I say.
Report Post »paleoconservatarian
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:13pmExactly. What would induce a little girl from wanting to meed her congress woman?
Seriously, if you’re not a troll you really need to check that quick partisan wit of your and give it a good scrub down.
Report Post »Whats up with that
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:16pmSo are you saying she shouldn’t have been able to vote for the debt ceiling because she was not at full mental capacity?…
Report Post »motonutt
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:29pm@WE ARE AMERICANS… Bush may have been in office when the shuttle program was slatted to end, but he didn’t gut NASA and turn it into a muslim outreach organization. Now did he.
Report Post »We are Americans
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:48pm@motonut I’m not defending our wreckless
Report Post »gutting of NASA. I’m just saying President
Bush made the decision to stop the program.
Not too many people want to expand or
maintain NASA budget right now.
ROE-SMELLEN
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:13pmI don’t think her husband love her.
Report Post »He does not beat her enough.
And he lets her go out without bag.
And he lets her drive car.
And vote. And look at men.
Alley-Oop Akbar!
AzDebi
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:33pmGabby WAS a motorcycle-riding, gun-owning Democrat known as decisively moderate in her first two terms as a congresswoman here in AZ in a heavy Republican district.
She is a third-generation Arizonan and BEFORE the shooting she had taken a hard stance on illegal immigration and pushed for a larger National Guard presence to protect the border with Mexico.
When she was campaigning , her website declared that she WAS a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and she cited a court filing she made to the Supreme Court, urging the justices to uphold a lower court’s ruling that overturned the hand-gun ban in Washington, D.C.
I hope this horrible crime against her and so many others has not tainted her…obviously, I’m a conservative and would not vote for her, however, she basically represents (as far as I know) the way Democrats WERE back when I was growing up!
Report Post »ROE-SMELLEN
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:41pmYes. John of the Kennedy had the balls.
Report Post »Brother Bobby, some.
Ted? Only when wife let him play with hers.
PhunkDaPhish
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:12pmShe should have resigned her post when she lost the ability to perform her duties. She reminds me of another ******* that should have resigned when he lost the capacity to do his job…uhh…the murderer Ted (I’ll have another drink) Kennedy. These people suck!
Report Post »We are Americans
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:19pmDude. You make me sick. Seriously.
Report Post »db321
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:27pmShow me one Liberal voter or Liberal Politician that puts America 1st before themselves – Liberals voter support Obama because they think they are going to get Free Health Care – Suckers – haven’t you heard, that nothing is Free. Obamacare is far from free and we will all pay. Look at Italy – that Socialist Country is done – no more free lunch – it over!
Report Post »MUSE_FENDERTAMA
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:43pmI actually somewhat agree with you, but I wouldn’t use such strong language to describe the situation or get emotional as you. I have nothing but respect for her as she continues her difficult recovery,
BUT…
She really should have resigned. She was incapable of doing her job (let alone speak for a while), so she should not be serving her constituents.
Report Post »I would be in favor of an amendment applying to any of the three branches that restricts the service of civil servants.
lodgerat
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:50pmYour not right in head my friend. Your not related to the shooter are you? I hope she recovers and is able to lead a somewhat normal life. I’m a conservative but do not wish this on anyone. God Bless Gabby
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:57pmExactly!
She should have resigned immediately!
The vacant seat and vapid cognition
Report Post »are cheating We The People of true representation!
Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:25pmI’m sick of republicans talking about how they put america first. They’re the most selfish money-worshipers on the planet.
Report Post »korbin
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:08pmI heard she is or was a NRA member?? I hope she steps up and doesn’t cow tow to the lefts firearm demonization. This would be very responsible if she were to denounce the shooting and the dumb ass who did it and not be a victim and blame firearms. Hope she gets well.
Report Post »Tronix
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:17pmShe is, but probably not the NRA you are thinking. She is member of the National Restaurant Association.
Report Post »Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:27pmConsidering a bullet went through her head, it would not be unbelievable if she changed her mind. Also a little girl died. You like to blame the lone nut but it keeps happening over and over. No one could spree kill without a gun.
Report Post »scoter
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:02pmI have little respect for this woman. Who care !!!!!!
http://www.helpfireobama.com Please give $20.12
Report Post »ROE-SMELLEN
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:15pm@ SCROTER
Report Post »Husband not let me have money.
I will send you 20 lbs camel dung. Is OK?
Alley-Oop Akbar!
scoter
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:59pmhttp://www.helpfireobama.com Please give $20.12
Report Post »motonutt
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:05pmGod bless her….and I’m not condoneing her being shot at all….and I’m happy that she is making a great recovery, but….don’t forget her best friend in congress is Debbie blabbermouth Wasserman Shultz. That say’s a lot about Gabbi Giffords. The american people don’t need her back in congress, she needs to just stay home and take good care of herself, with her also liberal husband who lost his job due to obama by the way.
Report Post »We are Americans
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:21pm@motonut. Actually George Bush canceled
Report Post »the shuttle program. I know it didn’t count.
Obamas president.
Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:28pmdon’t bother, man. these TEA! clowns have the memory span of a goldfish.
Report Post »Katydidnt
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:55pmGood luck and Godspeed Gabby
Report Post »FireWolf
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:51pmHow could she “Vow to go back to congress” when she had been paraded in front of the cameras to pass “a debt ceiling deal” ??
Is she in congress or isn’t she? All these mixed messages…
Report Post »Red Meat
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:55pmI have little respect for this woman or her liberal space cadet family. Did you know her bil, while up in the iss said, the shooting was the work of a right wing extremist? Bet you don’t.
Report Post »mils
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:57pmI don’t understand all the hype. I’m so sorry she was shot..
Report Post »Why all the lime light on her is beyond me right now.
…if it were a conservative that had been shot..we’d need to dig to find him somewhere…
We are Americans
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:58pmShe’s still a congresswoman buddy.
Report Post »I think she means she will go back as
a functioning member with her full mental
capabilities. If that’s all you can take from her
story then you are indeed a very small
human being.
babylonvi
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:10pmMeat, you are so FOS it’s not funny. First, this was a tragic attack just like the attack on any govt. or law enforcement officer is tragic, but it’s part of the job. Second, the jerk WAS NOT a right wing extremist, in fact he was a far left wing extremest. Quote from former classmate: “A classmate of the man accused of shooting Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords this morning describes him as “left wing” and a “pot head”. Left wing radicals are fare more likely to execute violent attacks than right wingers. So you don‘t know what you’re talking about. Representing your district should not be a sentimental situation. Everything I see says she is not physically or mentally able to properly represent her district and she should take a “line of duty” retirement, just like a police officer. When she is 100% again, she can run for the office. Sorry, but that’s just the way it is. On the other hand, maybe it doesn’t make any difference if she is still disables since the Dems only vote the way Pelosi tells them, so clear thought processes aren’t really necessary.
Report Post »We are Americans
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:26pm@redmeat why would you respect American heroes
Report Post »because they don’t have the same political views
as you?All conservatives good. Cept for the rhinos,
All liberals bad.