Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) made a triumphant return to Congress last night as she made her first appearance to the House of Representatives to vote on the debt ceiling bill.
An astounding round of applause and cheers made the congresswoman wave, smile and mouth a sincere “thank you” to her fellow members of Congress.
STORY: WHOSE HOUSE? Gabrielle Giffords Returns To Vote On Debt Ceiling (PHOTOS)
It has been a long road since Gabrielle was shot in the head back in January and an even longer road to recovery, but seeing the Congresswoman last night, reassured many that hope and belief are the strongest tools when faced with adversity.
STORY: Gabrielle Giffords Is Back And Running For Re-Election! (PHOTOS)
On a sunny Arizona day, a crazed gunman opened fire killing six people and injuring 14 others, before he was tackled and restrained.
State Representative Gabrielle Giffords was one of the 14 injured, sustaining a gunshot wound to the head that nearly killed her.
This is certainly a road that no one wants to travel on, but Gabby has persevered.
Join us as we recap Gabrielle’s amazing journey to recovery.
[pagebreak]
On Jan 8, Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head by Jared Loughner. She survived the shooting and was accompanied by her intern, Daniel Hernandez Jr. Part of her skull was removed to make space for swelling caused by her injuries.
[pagebreak]
On Jan 11, it was reported that Giffords was able to move her arms and breathe on her own. Doctors gave her a 101 percent chance of survival.
[pagebreak]
On Jan 12, a memorial for the victims of the shooting is held. Barack Obama notes that Giffords had opened her eyes for the first time and praised Daniel Hernandez Jr. as a hero.
[pagebreak]
On Jan 21, Gabrielle gets some sun as she is transferred from Tuscon to a hospital in Houston.
[pagebreak]
On Jan 22, U.S. Marshals release a mug shot of Jared Lee Loughner, the gunman responsible for killing six people and injuring 14 others.
[pagebreak]
On May 16, Gabrielle attends the launch of the Discovery space shuttle.
[pagebreak]
On June 9, doctors explain Giffords struggle to complete sentences, using gestures and expressions to communicate. This makes her incorporate her Twitter and Facebook to communicate with her constituents. Follow her @rep_giffords.
[pagebreak]
On June 12, the first photo of Giffords is released, showing the Congresswoman smiling with a shorter hair-cut.
[pagebreak]
On Aug 1, Giffords casts her first vote in the House of Representatives on the debt ceiling bill and draws an incredible amout of cheers and applause.
