This truly is a miracle!
Despite being in critical condition after a near-fatal gunshot wound to the head less than a week ago, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was reported to have opened her eyes for the first time yesterday, while surrounded by her husband, parents, and other members of Congress!
Sen. Kristen Gillibrand recounted that shortly after President Obama visited the Congresswoman in her hospital room, she sat down and held her hand, to which Giffords responded by squeezing back.
She explains:
"It was extraordinary. It was a miracle to witness. She absolutely could hear everything we were saying. And Debbie (Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida) and I were telling her how much she was inspiring the nation with her courage, her strength, and we were talking about the things we wanted to do as soon as she was better."
However, it was when Wasserman Schultz mentioned wanting her to come visit his vacation home, that Giffords eyes began to open.
She recalled telling her:
"'Come on, you've got to get better, because we expect you up in New Hampshire this summer.' And just as I said that, that's when she suddenly was struggling to open… her eyes. First just a little bit. And the doctors couldn't believe it. They said, 'This is such a good time.' Other than the birth of my kids, this was the most incredible feeling, to see literally one of your closest friends struggle to come to you, her family, her friends. We know how strong Gabby is….You could see all the strength pouring out of her to touch her husband."
Gillibrand continued:
"She took a moment to focus, you could see she was focusing. And then Mark said … 'Gabby, if you can see me, if you can see me, give us a thumbs-up … She didn't only give a thumbs-up, she literally raised her entire hand. We were just — we couldn't stop crying … It was just one of those moments that life brings you so rarely."
Furthermore, Gillibrand says, she was able to reach out to her husband "and is touching him and starts to really choke him like she was really trying to hug him, and she touches his ring, then she grabs his whole watch and wrist and then the doctor was just so excited, he said, 'You don't understand…this is amazing what she is doing right now and beyond our greatest hopes.' She wanted to tell us, 'I'm with you.'"
Dr. Michael Lemole, chief of neurosurgery, revealed that she's been opening her eyes with more frequency since that first time, and concluded:
"This is all very encouraging…It is a significant move forward. This is the part that doctors, I think, have the hardest time with — those intangibles in medicine. Miracles happen every day…A lot of medicine is outside our control."
Hearing this wonderful news actually brings us to tears!
This woman has truly proved that she is a fighter, and our thoughts and best-wishes will continue to be with her as she beats all of the odds that have been put against her!
You can overcome this, bb! The entire nation believes in you!
[Image via AP Images.]
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