Friday, January 21, 2011

Giffords Leaves Tucson

You may have seen on the news that Gabrielle Giffords is leaving Tucson today to continue her physical therapy in Houston where her husband is based as an astronaut. The move makes sense from the perspective of her family.

The route from the hospital to the airport passed about two blocks from my office so I walked down there this morning. News chopper flying overhead and some media photographers on the sidewalks as well as members of the community coming out to wish her well.

The police at the front of the procession.

The ambulance in which she was riding. Obviously she couldn't wave to the crowd or even see them, but that didn't seem to matter to the people lining the street.
Some motorcycles from the local VFW brought up the rear of the procession. I was kind of surprised they didn't lead it (at least after the first wave of motorcycle cops cleared the way).

I was watching the twitter feed as I was waiting to see if they were on schedule (they were) and was happy to see many people from Texas welcoming her and saying she would be well cared for there. The only negative thing I saw was some people complaining that their local station cut into the Price is Right to cover this and a few people criticizing them for publishing the route of the procession.

On a slightly lighter note, has anyone else seen the coverage of her using an iPad? Apple must be thrilled with the free publicity they are getting from this!

10 comments:

OrbsCorbs said...

Thank God that she is progressing so well. I wish her and her family nothing but the best.

You should hear my mom complain whenever the network preempts her soap opera. The president could be on there declaring nuclear war and she'd still fume about missing her "story."

RWWackoStu said...

This is great news. What an amazing recovery so far. Thanks for being our "on the spot" reporter!

Toad said...

Hale: Your a good guy. It must be in the stars. TOO few people in this country care about such things, and it's refreshing to know one that genuinely cares.

OKIE said...

Thanks for posting this Hale. It is great news that she is progressing the way she is.

Orbs - my late mother was the same way "they interrupted my stories".

Anonymous said...

Nice job on the exclusive JTI scoop HB. May she be blessed with a caring staff that will help her in her recovery.

Huck Finn said...

Orbs, progressing well, and ever being near normal are not the same. Too many news reports are making it seem she is going to walk and talk again as if she were a normal Able. She may recover, but she will never recover to the point so many take for granted. It bugs me that the news doesn't state this and candy coats what will be a difficult existence the rest of her life.

MinnesotaChick said...

It's amazing she has come so far in such a short time. Wishing her and her family strength.

kkdither said...

Very happy for her progression. I wish her and her family nothing but the best. This was a terrible, terrible thing. Let us not forgot those who lost their lives due to one deranged and selfish person.

I truly loathe it when the media leeches off of others sadness and misfortune for their sensational gain. Let's let the family heal together without too much intrusion.

OrbsCorbs said...

I understand, Huck, and I agree.

The night of the shooting, I was watching one of the TV news channels and a reporter was interviewing a woman and her two daughters in front of their home. The woman and one of the daughters were in the store at the time of the shooting. The other daughter was out in their car. The reporter asked the daughter who had been in the store, "Do you replay the scene over and over in your mind? Are you having trouble sleeping?" I thought, "Well, she probably is now," and turned off the TV.

hale-bopp said...

Orbs, if they asked questions like that in court, wouldn't it be called leading the witness? Reporters can project so much onto the people they cover.

And Huck, you have a good point. Brain injuries are tricky things. Progress can seem to come quick and then hit a sudden plateau. Where that will be we just can't say.