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Rep. Gabrielle Giffords continues to progress in her rehab, now having regained the ability to talk, to a certain extent. She is also able to mouth or lip sync the words to rudimentary songs, such as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
Music therapy has a long tradition, stretching back to the ancient Greeks, as a means to alleviate pain, treat mental illness, and promote well being in patients with a variety of ills. Giffords is apparently undergoing a form of music therapy that causes her to practice singing skills to promote her rehabilitation. In conjunction with her speech, physical, and occupational therapy, it is hoped that Giffords' singing practice will help her to regain cognitive function. The singing helps Giffords to put several words together, something that she at the moment has trouble doing.
Other songs Giffords is said to have lip synced include "Happy Birthday to You", for her husband astronaut Mark Kelly and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" with friends and family accompanying with keyboard and chorus.
Doctors caution that Giffords still has some "significant deficits" that will take considerable time to overcome. Rehab from such a traumatic injury as a bullet wound to the brain often takes months or even years.
Giffords can walk, pushing a cart, and is also doing exercises to regain muscle tone and function. Her cognitive abilities appear to be substantial. She has demonstrated the ability to answer questions even before the questions are finished. She is able to recognize pictures of historical figures, such as Presidents Obama, Bush, and Washington. Doctors have noted that she has shown such enthusiasm for these exercises that she has been asked to slow down.
Giffords has started to get briefings from members of her staff on subjects ranging from the fall of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt to the retirement of Jon Kyl, Senator from her home state of Arizona. Some fellow members of Congress have paid visits. It is expected that former President George H. W. Bush may stop by eventually. The visits are being rationed to keep from overtiring Giffords.
In the meantime, Gabrielle Giffords is due to undergo another surgical procedure to replace a portion of her skull that was removed to alleviate brain swelling, now that the swelling has subsided.
Gifford's husband, Mark Kelly, is currently training to command the last flight of the space shuttle Endeavour, slated for launch on April 19.
Music therapy has a long tradition, stretching back to the ancient Greeks, as a means to alleviate pain, treat mental illness, and promote well being in patients with a variety of ills. Giffords is apparently undergoing a form of music therapy that causes her to practice singing skills to promote her rehabilitation. In conjunction with her speech, physical, and occupational therapy, it is hoped that Giffords' singing practice will help her to regain cognitive function. The singing helps Giffords to put several words together, something that she at the moment has trouble doing.
Other songs Giffords is said to have lip synced include "Happy Birthday to You", for her husband astronaut Mark Kelly and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" with friends and family accompanying with keyboard and chorus.
Doctors caution that Giffords still has some "significant deficits" that will take considerable time to overcome. Rehab from such a traumatic injury as a bullet wound to the brain often takes months or even years.
Giffords can walk, pushing a cart, and is also doing exercises to regain muscle tone and function. Her cognitive abilities appear to be substantial. She has demonstrated the ability to answer questions even before the questions are finished. She is able to recognize pictures of historical figures, such as Presidents Obama, Bush, and Washington. Doctors have noted that she has shown such enthusiasm for these exercises that she has been asked to slow down.
Giffords has started to get briefings from members of her staff on subjects ranging from the fall of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt to the retirement of Jon Kyl, Senator from her home state of Arizona. Some fellow members of Congress have paid visits. It is expected that former President George H. W. Bush may stop by eventually. The visits are being rationed to keep from overtiring Giffords.
In the meantime, Gabrielle Giffords is due to undergo another surgical procedure to replace a portion of her skull that was removed to alleviate brain swelling, now that the swelling has subsided.
Gifford's husband, Mark Kelly, is currently training to command the last flight of the space shuttle Endeavour, slated for launch on April 19.
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