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February 11, 2011

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Giffords speaks as recovery continues

ARIZONA Representative Gabrielle Giffords spoke for the first time since she was shot in the forehead, her spokesman said on Wednesday, yet another significant milestone in her recovery from a traumatic brain injury.

Giffords first spoke within the past few days and is speaking "more and more," spokesman C. J. Karamargin said on Wednesday. He didn't know what her first words were, but said that at breakfast one morning she asked for toast.

"She's working very hard and it's paying off," he said. "We're elated at this. We always knew Gabby is a fighter and that she's not going to let this thing win. And you know, every day is proof of that."

Six people, including a nine-year-old girl and a federal judge, were killed in the attack outside a grocery store where Giffords was meeting with constituents. Thirteen people, including Giffords, were injured.

Other news organizations earlier reported that Giffords had asked for toast.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Giffords' husband Mark Kelly said his wife was eating three times a day, "even though it's hospital food."

"It is hard to believe that only one month has passed since Gabrielle was shot," he wrote. "The doctors say she is recovering at lightning speed considering her injury but they aren't kidding when they say this is a marathon process."

He said "there are encouraging signs every day," pointing to her renewed appetite.

"Your prayers are being heard, so don't stop," he wrote.

Kelly, a NASA astronaut, said he expects his wife to be well enough to be at his space launch in two months.

Dr Gerard Francisco, who is treating Giffords in Houston, Texas, said it's too early to say whether she will be able to attend the launch.





 

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