What Did Music Therapy And The iPad Have To Do With Gabrielle Giffords’ Recovery?

Partisan politics took a rest last night when an unexpected visit to the House floor by Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. As you are all aware, Congresswoman Giffords suffered a gunshot wound to the head in an assassination attempt in January. Since that time, Giffords has many amazing strides in her rehabilitation, even attending the take-off of the Space Shuttle Endeavor, piloted by her husband Mark Kelly.

In a statement from the Congresswoman, she said:

“I had to be here for this vote. I could not take the chance that my absence could crash our economy.”

The Congresswoman received a 10-minute standing ovation from members on both sides of the aisle, with hugs and cheers and even a few joyful tears. Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a good friend of Giffords, acknowledges that she still has a long way to go in her rehabilitation, but that the Democratic National Committee is helping Gifford to get ready for a re-election campaign if she decides she wants to run.

Celebrity Diagnosis has done a couple of stories about Representative Gifford’s rehabilitation, including one on her use of Music Therapy, and other about how her iPad is helping her and others with disabilities. Our best wishes go out to this brave, determined woman.

Photo credit: CBS News