Giffords: Won't return to Congress until "better"

In this undated photo provided by ABC, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and husband Mark Kelly are interviewed by Diane Sawyer on ABC's 20/20. The show, featuring the first public interview Giffords has given since she was shot in the head in Tucson last winter, will air Monday, Nov. 14, 2011. / AP Photo/ABC, Ida Mae Astute

WASHINGTON - Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, struggling to form the words in her first extended interview since a January shooting rampage, said Monday she will not return to Congress until she is "better."

"No. Better," she said in response to a question about whether she wanted to return to Congress.

As she gestured as if to help her form the words, her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, completed the thought: "She wants to get better."

At that point, interviewer Diane Sawyer also tried to get Giffords to summarize her mindset, asking whether she was thinking she would go back to Congress if she got better. "And that's where you're at right now?" Sawyer asked.

(Watch a clip from the ABC interview below)

"Yes, yes, yes," Giffords replied.

Since the Arizona Democrat made a surprise appearance on the House floor this summer to cast a vote on the debt ceiling increase, there has been wide speculation about her career plans, including whether she would run for the state's open Senate seat.

The ABC interview showed a woman who appeared confident and determined, but still far from able to carry on a detailed conversation. She spoke in a clear voice, but in halting phrases: "Pretty good ... Difficult ... Strong, strong, strong," she replied to questions about how she was feeling and how she'd fared over the 10 months since the shooting.

The Giffords interview was accompanied by video Kelly shot documenting Giffords' recovery. The initial days and weeks showed her struggling to understand what had happened and to communicate in the most basic forms. She struggled just to learn how to nod, to raise two fingers. When her therapist asked what one sits in, she replied "Spoon," before later settling on "chair." Kelly said she used the word "chicken" to describe several items.

Special Section: Tragedy in Tucson Mark Kelly: Won't run for Giffords' House seat

Eventually, she learned to speak again and smile.

Kelly said he documented her recovery because he knew she would astonish her skeptics.

"Gabby Giffords is too tough to let this beat her," Kelly said.

Giffords has undergone intensive therapy. At times, despair set in. One clip shows her sobbing in her therapist's arms at Houston's TIRR Memorial Hermann hospitals.

"Can I tell you something? It is going to get better," her therapist said at one point. "You've come a long way in five weeks."

Giffords is shown becoming more upbeat and smiling more frequently in the ensuing months. She now walks with a limp and can talk, though she generally speaks in halting phrases, or repeats a word to get her point across.

At one point, Kelly used the work "brave" to describe the word on his mind when he thinks of her -- "brave and tough," he said. Then Giffords, looking directly at Kelly, responds almost in a whisper: "Tough, tough, tough" and she kissed his bald head.

Sawyer asked Giffords if she was ever angry about what happened to her. Giffords replied, "No, no, no. Life, life."

The television interview comes as fellow victims of the shooting came to Washington to testify in favor of a gun-control bill. They said that Giffords' appearance represents a major milestone for them as it helps them cope with the trauma they've endured over the past 10 months. About a dozen survivors and family members are in Washington lobbying for legislation that would extend criminal background checks to all gun sales and enhance the quality of the FBI's criminal background checks.

Ken Dorushka, who was shot in the arm as he shielded his wife, says the victims have become like close family members and would watch the broadcast together.

"Any time one of us has a success, it affects all of us and it helps our healing," Dorushka said.

The Tucson victims described Giffords' recovery as a miracle. Nancy Bowman, a nurse who was at the scene, said Giffords' recovery is a testament to her drive and courage.

"I don't think there's a single one of us who saw what happened to her who could possibly have believed that she could survive. I certainly never dreamed I would ever be able to experience Gabby Giffords on TV speaking to the country."

The man arrested at the shooting, Jared Loughner has pleaded not guilty to 49 charges stemming from the Jan. 8 shooting. He's being forcibly medicated with psychotropic drugs at a Missouri prison in an effort to make him mentally competent to stand trial.

In Monday's broadcast, Giffords and Kelly both expressed their concern that Loughner did not get the help he needed.

"If he had received some treatment, this probably never would have happened," Kelly said.

[smittyc]

Like everyone else am glad to see this nice lady on the road to recovery. My prayers are with you Mrs. Gifford, God Bless.

[roth5101]

Diane Sawyer did an outstanding job with this interview.
I think Gabby Gifford, with time, will come out of this
fully recovered. She is a strong person and has all the
qualities to do so.
Wonderful piece of work by ABC TV and especially by Diane Sawyer.

[hamiltongrad]

When her husband decided to leave her hospital bed side to go into space, I lost all respect for him. What kind of a husband would do that ?

[enjoythetrip]

There's a clear lack of empathy and compassion being displayed by more than a few of the folks posting here. These calls to "step aside" are nothing but heartlessness disguised as practicality.

Ms. Giffords was *severely* injured while working to represent her constituents. When and if the time comes for her to step aside, I'm confident the people close to her will help her make that decision with grace.

In the meantime, the people of her district aren't suddenly living under the iron-fist of a totalitarian regime, and the Constitution hasn't been torn to shreds...but I'm sure they appreciate your "concern".

[gingerlulu]

Though Congresswoman Giffords and I have differing politcal views, I admire her tremdously. She deserves everyone's respect. She will retire, eventually; but, she needs a goal to fight for. The people in her district ARE being represented by their senators. All you hard-nosed people obviously haven't suffered any in your lives. If you had, you would be much more sympathetic!

[tincan53]

She's been gone for almost a year and the people of her district have been unrepresented for that time. If you were injured on the job, your company has to keep a job open for you for a year. After that you're on your own. She needs to resign and move on.

[yougogirl60]

Unless you have had a brain incident (bullet, stroke, etc), you have NO idea what a miracle Gabby is! I had a stroke several years ago, and believe me rehab and recouperation are NOT easy. She is one tough blessed lady to have come this far so fast. It is obvious God has His Hands on her. May God continue to bless her, Mark, and her family (I hope she is eventually able to have the child she and Mark wanted before this tragedy).

The person who inflictd so much damage and pain on this woman should NOT ever be allowed to live freely among society again whether or not he is found mentally competent or not. There should be severe consequences to this type of behavior.

[samXXkiley]

coucou,
wise decision Congress will wait, you have made much progress, the total recovery is close
"au revoir"

[vernlevy]

If a painter fell of the ladder at work and conked his head, he probably couldn't paint anymore and would have to find another line of work. It's a terrible tragedy when people get hurt and injured on the job...but there comes a time when because of that injury they have to give up that line of work. The folks from AZ district Giffords represents have not been represented for the past year and will continue to be unrepresented until Giffords resigns. Let go of the honor. Cash in the sympathy card and resign to allow the folks of AZ to be represented.

[veblenII]

Vernlevy, forcing Giffords to resign is just handing victory to mental defectives like Loughner. Arizona, and America, deserves better than that.

[ReckonedTruth]

She's a medical miracle and 90% of PPl with such a tragedy DO NOT recover to the degree Gabby has..its good to see her recovering to get her life back.

Hey Mrs. S. P.> anymore more crosshairs targets? Let this be a lesson to you..not to incite your supporters on your networks by putting up crosshair targets with assigned congressmen and congresswomen names,.. such an IDIOT!

[smittyc]

A figure of speech is just what it says. ie another popular one in politics is so and so was "thrown under a bus". I realize understanding this type of political rhetoric is difficult for "some" people and I encourage those having difficulty to try harder.