Recent photo and one taken three days before the shooting …
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has authorized the release of the first photos taken since she was shot in the head during a mass shooting in Tucson five months ago.
The two images, uploaded to her Facebook page by an aide, show the congresswoman smiling broadly and looking remarkably well in an outdoor setting. Her hair is dark and short and there does appear to be a slight indentation and discoloration in the temple region on one side of her head.
Six people were killed and 13 injured in the January 8, 2011 shooting.
Giffords, currently receiving intensive rehabilitation in Houston, has had one long distance outing. The recovering politician traveled to Florida to watch the Endeavor space launch, piloted by her astronaut husband Mark Kelly.
The congresswoman’s spokesperson indicates that Giffords will soon be heading home, where she will begin the next phase of her recovery with outpatient rehab. An exact date has not been set but her release is expected to occur in early July.
Photo enlargements below:
Photos: Facebook – Rep. Gabby Giffords