Doctors Encouraged by Giffords’ Lip-Syncing

Monday, 14 February 2011 | by Pat's Picks

There’s a reassuring story about Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords on the front page of the New York Times this morning. She’s been mouthing words and lip-syncing songs, both developments that her doctors say are encouraging signs. As a birthday surprise for her husband, Gifford’s friend taped her mouthing the words to “Happy Birthday.” Experts say brain trauma victims can experience trouble communicating and personality changes—“everything from ambition and concentration to short-term memory and social inhibitions can be affected.”  The Times says Giffords family and friends are encouraged by the rapid progress she’s made: “Don’t get the idea she’s speaking in paragraphs, but she definitely understands what we’re saying and she’s verbalizing.”