A message recorded by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) to her Southern Arizona constituents was released Tuesday, with the wounded congresswoman saying that she wants to get back to work.
"Hello. This is Gabby Giffords. I miss you. I miss Tucson. The mountains. Blue sky. In the heat. I'm getting stronger, I'm getting better," she said, struggling to speak. Giffords was critically injured after being shot in the head in Tucson last January and has undergone months of therapy in Houston.
The message was recorded last week and lasts about a minute. It was initially released to the Tucson-based Arizona Daily Star.
"It's been a hard year for all of us. Thinking about that day makes me sad. Six people died. Six innocent people. So many people hurt. There is a lot to say. I will speak better," she said. "I want to get back to work. Representing Arizona is my honor. My staff is there to help you. They keep me informed on your behalf. I miss you. I miss home. I'll see you real soon. Thank you."
Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly, appeared on ABC's "20/20" Monday night. The segment showed her undergoing therapy. At one point, she sobbed in her therapist's arms. However, she was shown as happier as the therapy helped her regain the ability to speak.
Listen to her message below from Giffords's Soundcloud account:
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