Gabrielle Giffords Records Message To Her Southern Arizona Constituents

A message recorded by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) to her Southern Arizona constituents was released Tuesday, with the wounded congresswoman saying that she wants to get back to work.

"Hello. This is Gabby Giffords. I miss you. I miss Tucson. The mountains. Blue sky. In the heat. I'm getting stronger, I'm getting better," she said, struggling to speak. Giffords was critically injured after being shot in the head in Tucson last January and has undergone months of therapy in Houston.

The message was recorded last week and lasts about a minute. It was initially released to the Tucson-based Arizona Daily Star.

"It's been a hard year for all of us. Thinking about that day makes me sad. Six people died. Six innocent people. So many people hurt. There is a lot to say. I will speak better," she said. "I want to get back to work. Representing Arizona is my honor. My staff is there to help you. They keep me informed on your behalf. I miss you. I miss home. I'll see you real soon. Thank you."

Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly, appeared on ABC's "20/20" Monday night. The segment showed her undergoing therapy. At one point, she sobbed in her therapist's arms. However, she was shown as happier as the therapy helped her regain the ability to speak.

Listen to her message below from Giffords's Soundcloud account:

A Message from Rep. Gabrielle Giffords by RepGiffords

Comments

[Lyin n denyin]

11:58 AM on 11/16/2011

God bless this woman and her tough fight to overcome this devastating tragedy. I heard the tape on local radio early this morning. A lot of debate over how edited it was especially in light of everyone seeing how she really is, during that interview the other night. What is the point of her living in Houston, not able to put two words together, then releasing this obviously doctored message to her constituents? I found it deceitful, but she's not my Representative. I hope the people in her district are content with a Rep. who doesn't live in State nor is capable of fulfilling her duties. It's a shame and I ask God to continue helping her heal, but healing is what she should be doing, not trying to hold onto an office.

[Tom uws]

07:40 AM on 11/16/2011

Did they not have a special election to replace her?? I wish her well, but this is part of the problem with our system. Most members of congress and senators have only been put in office because of their popularity, not because of how they represent us. Having a member of congress who was shot in the head and can barely put a sentence together and NOT be replaced is the epitome of our system. What's next?? Someone will suffer a stroke and be comatose, but because they're such a "nice" person who everyone likes, they'll keep their position in congress?? wow

[TommyObama]

10:46 AM on 11/16/2011

Or perhaps a representative shows so little mental acuity that they spout myths and superstition, against centuries of scientific evidence, and simple-mindedly vote accordingly, on educational initiatives that affect our children. I'm thinking of the "5000 year old planet" here.

[MrMusicFlood]

06:57 AM on 11/16/2011

She is getting stronger each day

[Lyin n denyin]

12:00 PM on 11/16/2011

She was misrepresenting herself on that tape. She may be getting stronger, but she is in no way able to fulfill her responsibilities. I wouldn't want to have no Rep from my district.

[daniel ruxin]

11:12 PM on 11/15/2011

As a Healthcare Provider working with TBI Patients I have never seen anyone that has had a full recovery- there is no such thing. Giffords is no longer qualified to be a Congresswoman no matter how much she thinks she can. Cognitive and executive functioning must be at an extremely high level, any impairment in brain functioning takes her out of the game. With no disrespect to Giffords she no longer nor will ever have the capacity to represent her constituency. Sad but so happy that she survived.

[kmeccat]

01:24 AM on 11/16/2011

"Cognitive and executive functionin­g must be at an extremely high level, any impairment in brain functionin­g takes her out of the game."
LOL...then I'd say by those standards, there are quite a few of our "Representatives" (including a couple of past POTUS) who also should be out of the game...

[MrMusicFlood]

06:57 AM on 11/16/2011

You obviously have very limited understanding

[KickstandCat]

10:37 PM on 11/15/2011

You GO Gabby. You are AWESOME. Mark is AWESOME!!! Love you guys.

[dolphinzero]

08:03 PM on 11/15/2011

With all due respect, Gabby needs a lot more rehab and should not be burdened with the problems of Arizona. She should concentrate on getting well for the future and let someone else handle her district.

[KickstandCat]

10:38 PM on 11/15/2011

I don't think she's that kind.

[me again]

07:03 AM on 11/16/2011

The people of her diestrict are well represented by her office and are not complaining, why should you?

[Tom uws]

07:42 AM on 11/16/2011

haha, "well represented"?? please explain how Gabby is representing them at all. I'll concede that the sheep are not complaining, but to say the sheep are well represented is ridiculous. I wish her well though.

[General Public]

07:42 PM on 11/15/2011

She does a better job speaking than any of the tounge-tied Republican presidential candidates like Rick Perry, that's for sure. And none of them have an excuse such as "traumatic brain injury". And with Gabby Giffords improving her brain functionality every day, soon she'll be able to speak even better. As for the fiend who did this to her, I hope the courts find him guilty and don't let him get away with it by pleading insanity, and make sure that Jared Lee Loughner is never allowed out of jail for the rest of his pathetic life.

[KickstandCat]

10:42 PM on 11/15/2011

I agree with everything you said, except the jared loughner. He is sick. He can't be let out with us, but he need a mental facility. NOT a prison. WE need to advocate for these people so they can get mental health services BEFORE they escalate to this level. WE NEED TO QUIT IGNORING THESE PEOPLE AND BELIEVING THEY CAN MAKE RATIONAL CHOICES.

[Pennsylvanianne]

04:27 AM on 11/16/2011

Even Giffords and Kelly have affirmed what you say about Loughner's need to have obtained mental health help before the shooting, rather than making vengeful remarks about punishing him. That position of theirs makes me admire both of them even more.

[Miller in IL]

07:37 PM on 11/15/2011

She is not a hero, she got shot by a bad person and is healing. People get injured all the time and they go on with their lives. But unlike any other American who would lose their job and health benefits and probably lose their house, she keeps getting paid and her fat benefits for doing now work, but yet she can write a book and go on tour. If I loved in her district I would feel like I was getting ripped off.

[KickstandCat]

10:33 PM on 11/15/2011

#1. Good reason to fight for public healthcare just like Congress gets.

#2. What book?

#3. Where's she on tour at? I'd love to see her.

#4. Who's district do you love in?

[Cecilia Tan]

10:49 PM on 11/15/2011

Much as what you say about how people get injured all the time, may be true, it does not mean that she or any one else who suffers should be denied compassion and be seen first and foremost as individual human beings who has the capacity to rise from such a delibetating condition. Perhaps her 'work' is to inspire and to witness to the fact that the human spirit is stronger and capable of overcoming the evil of the world. Her work of writing documenting her experiences would most likely provide the necessary drive and give hope to so many, especially in times of doom and gloom. We need less mean-spiritedness in the world and more generous compassion universally.

[mamadeus]

06:42 PM on 11/15/2011

Perfect husband. That is what a great man does for the woman he loves.

[Pennsylvanianne]

04:33 AM on 11/16/2011

As another poster posted on another Giffords-Kelly thread, Kelly is a real man -- in contrast to Newt Gingrich.

[TommyObama]

10:52 AM on 11/16/2011

I'm hoping he ends up a real CONGRESSman.

[EdAbsolutely]

05:22 PM on 11/15/2011

Everyone falls down, not everyone manages to get up, some that get up manage to move ahead, even fewer display the personality characteristics of genuine Rock Stars. Gabby, you and Mark are remarkable. The courage you both have shown is inspirational.

[Ravenlea]

05:09 PM on 11/15/2011

Remarkable human being. Remarkable couple. They give me hope.

[AZterritory]

05:04 PM on 11/15/2011

THIS is the true face of Arizona, not the awful hateful carpet-baggers who have taken over the legislature.

[TommyObama]

10:53 AM on 11/16/2011

#2340 here...you read my mind.

[Spadreisle]

04:33 PM on 11/15/2011

A story of love and courage at a time of too much hate and greed.
Gabby and Mark, thank you both!

[Juliawerck]

04:09 PM on 11/15/2011

Gabby Giffords is an imspiration to all of us. This Womans courage and intellect are far more powerful than any of the GTOP.

[Britishdemocrat]

03:55 PM on 11/15/2011

I hope she does.