Doctors say Giffords making "leaps and bounds"

The injured congresswoman's memory is improving, and she is able to speak in complete sentences

By Ramit Plushnick-masti

Published March 11, 2011 5:40PM (EST)

FILE - In this undated file photo provided by the office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Giffords, left, is shown with her husband, NASA astronaut Mark Kelly. A person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will attend the launch of her husband's space shuttle in April. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the family and doctors have not yet publicized the decision. A news conference is scheduled for Friday, March 11, 2011 at the Houston hospital where Giffords is undergoing rehab. Giffords husband, Mark Kelly, is leading the space shuttle's next mission. (AP Photo/Office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, File) NO SALES (AP)
FILE - In this undated file photo provided by the office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Giffords, left, is shown with her husband, NASA astronaut Mark Kelly. A person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will attend the launch of her husband's space shuttle in April. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the family and doctors have not yet publicized the decision. A news conference is scheduled for Friday, March 11, 2011 at the Houston hospital where Giffords is undergoing rehab. Giffords husband, Mark Kelly, is leading the space shuttle's next mission. (AP Photo/Office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, File) NO SALES (AP)

Doctors for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords say she is making "leaps and bounds" in her recovery from a gunshot wound to the head.

Doctors held a news conference in Houston where they provided an update on the congresswoman's progress. They say her memory and speech are improving, and she is walking with assistance. She also speaks in full sentences, such as "I'm tired and want to go to bed."

While her memory is improving, she does not recall the shooting that wounded her and 12 others and killed six people.

Dr. Dong Kim says doctors still want her to improve enough to attend her husband's space shuttle launch, but it's too early to tell. He says they expect to reattach her skull at some point in May. She now wears a helmet that covers her head.


By Ramit Plushnick-masti

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Gabrielle Giffords Jared Loughner