Giffords Faces Long Road to Rehabilitation

Although Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has come far enough in her recovery to leave the rehabilitation center where she spent the past five months, doctors agree she is only at the beginning stages of her rehabilitation.

She will start outpatient therapy soon, which is likely to include speech, occupational and physical therapy a few days a week. Experts believe her continued rehabilitation will take a long time as she attempts to recover many of the skills and abilities she lost after being shot in the head in January.

“The time frame for outpatient therapy is long, with her program continuing to be adjusted as she improves. Years of treatment is not unusual,” said Dr. Brian Greenwald, assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. “Despite the fact that the most rapid recovery occurs in the first year, recovery continues for a long time to come.”