U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords

By now most people have learned Rep. Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords from Arizona has stepped down. A relatively young, dedicated, public servant, Gabbie held elected office for much of the last 12 years. I’m sure she will have many colleagues and constituents who will miss her and her work. The reason Gabby is leaving the House and her work representing the people of the eighth district of AZ is well known. The mass shooting on January 8, 2011, which seriously injured 12 and killed 6, received much press. Gabby’s public statement announcing her resignation suggests that she wants to focus on her continued recovery and in the future would like to return to work. Though Gabby and her husband, Scott Kelly, have rightly restricted the media access to her medical treatment and rehabilitation, we can imagine that relearning to walk and talk after being shot in the head is extremely challenging. At 41 Gabby’s acquired disabling condition certainly have changed the outlook she had for herself in midlife and beyond. I look forward to the day when she returns to elected office. It’s true that Gabbie will need the career support and technology necessary for her to function in such a professional role. Looking ahead, I hope these supports and technologies will be available to her and the millions of others who could use them to continue to work and be engaged in their communities.