On that dreadful Saturday afternoon in January, I along with many others started blogging on the tragedy in Tucson and updated the story at first every few minutes, then every few hours. Then, after the political and finger-pointing comments abated, I started updating the story almost daily, via comments, focusing on the miraculous recovery of Representative Gabrielle Giffords.
From the number of “views” (over 1700), I concluded about two months ago that our readers were very interested in the Congresswoman’s continuing recovery.
I posted another article, “The Recovery of Gabrielle Giffords,” solely dedicated to her recovery and I updated it through the comments thread.
It also attracted many views from people interested in and marveling at the mettle of this wonderful lady and the miracles of modern medicine.
My last update on April 5 dealt with the continuing rehabilitation of Gabby Giffords at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) in Houston and focused on the question everyone was asking, “When will she be able to go home?” but even more specifically, “Will she be able to travel to Cape Canaveral, Fla., to watch her astronaut husband, Mark Kelly, blast off aboard space shuttle Endeavour’s last flight?” A launch that is now scheduled for April 29.
Of course people all across America are foremost interested in Gifford’s quick and complete recovery, but many of us have to admit that we are also hoping that she will be able to attend her husband’s launch. This—in turn—has generated an unprecedented interest in the Endeavour launch.
As a recent NEWSWEEK article said:
The scheduled launch this month of the space shuttle Endeavour has aroused public interest at a level not seen since NASA’s glory days—not because of the mission itself, but because of one potential spectator at the Florida liftoff. Since the Jan. 8 shooting spree in Tucson that killed six people and gravely wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, it has been the goal of her family and doctors that she attend the launch of the Endeavour, commanded by her astronaut husband, Mark Kelly. For Gabby (as she is now known by all), it would be a symbolic moment of triumph. For the country and the world, waiting expectantly and hopefully, it would be the first glimpse of the convalescent who has become America’s Congresswoman.
And here is where I will conclude my updates and turn readers over to “The untold story of a Congresswoman’s struggle, her husband’s faith, and their long, hard road to recovery.”
In this superb and extensive story, NEWSWEEK writers provide several frank and intimate glimpses into Giffords’ condition and recovery prospects as voiced by medical experts, family, friends and staffers, along with many personal thoughts, comments, hopes and, yes, some words of caution and circumspection.
The article answers questions such as what Giffords has or has not been told about the Tucson shootings; what is meant when people say they have had “conversations” with Giffords; how songs are helping her “recapture the ability to use language,” and more.
While I have studiously stayed away from the political aspects and ramifications of the tragedy (what impact Gifford’s prolonged absence from the House floor may or may not have on her keeping her seat; what is her future political viability, both as a U.S. Representative and possibly as a U.S. Senator; etc.), the NEWSWEEK article delves into some of these issues in a balanced and tactful manner.
Finally, as to the question whether Gabby Gifford’s will attend her husband’s launch aboard Endeavour, Carusone (Giffords’ chief of staff) says: “There are some things that you can get out of her that are very clear…You can talk to her about this: ‘Do you want to go see Mark’s launch?’ ‘Yes.’ She wants to go.”
And in a conversation with NEWSWEEK, Kelly “noted that her doctors have not yet approved the trip to the Kennedy Space Center, and that, even if they do, Giffords will be kept behind a wall of privacy, away from the eyes of the public and press.”
Read more of this fascinating and touching story here.
