Source: MEP Giffords could be hospital by the end of the summer - Chicago Tribune

Photo: Representative Gabrielle Giffords (Congress of the United States) HOUSTON, Texas - United States Rep Gabrielle Giffords is "recovering well" and they could be released from ambulatory care already in the end of the next month, an employee said on Saturday.

Pia Carusone Chief told The Associated Press that doctors have begun taking into account many factors in the decision to launch of Giffords of Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston, where she has been undergoing rehabilitation every day since January.

Carusone said that she could be released from mid-July, although firm date has not been confirmed.

Giffords has proved "better movement and better speaking," while lasting three hours daily sessions of rehabilitation, Dr. Gerard Francisco said in March.

"Already is speaking in complete sentences," said Dr. Dong Kim, who noted Giffords is to walk and has shown "a period of good memory".

Progress of Giffords has been "very notable and better than expected," even allowing him to travel to Florida to participate in the launch of the space shuttle Endeavor, which is commanded by her husband.

After spending the days after the shooting in hospital by his wife bed, Captain Mark Kelly decided in February that would continue his assignment as Commander of the mission.

At the time, Giffords C.J. Karamargin spokesman said the Democrat of Arizona "he fully understands" that her husband is flying the space shuttle and supported his decision.

It will be the final mission for the company and the second to last for the entire shuttle fleet.

Giffords has been in a hospital in Houston, not far from where Kelly makes the greater part of their training at the Johnson Space Center - since January, when it was moved there from University Medical Center in Tucson.

Giffords was filmed in a "Congress on your corner" event on January 8 in the parking lot of the Safeway supermarket in his hometown.

Six people were killed in the incident. The Congressman, who authorities say that it was the main destination, was among 13 injured.

Jared Lee Loughner is accused of opening fire outside a supermarket in Tucson, Arizona, where Giffords met with constituents in January. Six people--including a federal judge - were killed and other 13 were injured in the attack.

Judge Larry Burns also scheduled a hearing for competition for Loughner, and lawyers for both sides may hire their own experts to evaluate the competence of Loughner test.

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