Gabrielle Giffords Staffer Ron Barber Released From Hospital; Congresswoman Continues to Make Progress

Doctors treating those injured during the tragedy in Tucson on Saturday announced this morning that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords continues to make progress in her recovery and that one of the congresswoman's staffers wounded in the attack has been released from the hospital. Ron Barber, Giffords' district director, left the hospital...

By James King

January 14, 2011

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Doctors treating those injured during the tragedy in Tucson on Saturday announced this morning that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords continues to make progress in her recovery and that one of the congresswoman's staffers wounded in the attack has been released from the hospital.

Ron Barber, Giffords' district director, left the hospital this morning and will attend the funeral of Federal Judge John Roll, who was killed in the attack, later today.

Giffords, doctors say, continues to make strides.

Doctor Pete Rhee, head of the University Medical Center trauma unit, says Giffords is opening her eyes more frequently and is performing more complex brain tasks -- sometimes on her own, without prompting from doctors.

Doctors have not yet removed Giffords' breathing tube, which, they say, will be the next milestone in her recovery.

The tube could possibly be removed as early a today.

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