Gabby_ A Story of Courage and Hope - Alison Hanson [151]
The girl smiled up at her, looking thrilled. Then Gabby turned on her good left foot, took a full step with her braced right foot, and made her way slowly down the hall to the therapy room. Back to work.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Gabby’s Voice
Over many nights, as this story became a book, Gabby and I read these chapters together, one at a time. She was fully engaged, weighing in on every page. She corrected imprecise anecdotes and added her memories to mine. Our hope was always that she would be able to write the final chapter in her own voice. —M.K.
Hope and faith. You have to have hope and faith.
Everything I do reminds me of that horrible day. Just rolling onto my side is hard. Hard to sleep at night. Reminds me of how badly I was hurt. It was hard but I’m alive.
Lot of people died. Six wonderful people. So many people hurt. Always connected to them.
Long ways to go. Grateful to survive. It’s frustrating. Mentally hard. Hard work. I’m trying. Trying so hard to get better. Regain what I’ve lost. Want to speak better.
Trying to get back to work. Back to work for Arizona. Back to work for the American people. I love the people of my state. I’m so sorry I’m unable to work right now. My staff’s been awesome. Been hard for them, too. They are working hard.
I want to thank all the doctors. Thank the nurses and therapists. It’s been challenging. They are all special.
A whole lot of cards and letters. Thank you.
I appreciate the help of my mom and dad. Mark is an inspiration. I love them very much.
I will get stronger. I will return.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing this book and telling our story were not easy for Gabby or for me. We each had difficulty reliving the shooting and the challenges that followed January 8.
This book would not have been possible without our families. Gabby’s parents, Gloria and Spencer, left their home in Tucson for over seven months to be here with Gabby and me as she navigated the long and difficult road known as rehabilitation. They have supported us every step of the way and continue to do that today. My parents, Patricia and Richard, gave me the strength I needed to get through this tragedy. They’ve always reminded me that I could do or overcome anything. My brother and best friend, Scott, despite my being two hundred and fifty miles up in space, became a sounding board when I had decisions to make. Gabby’s sister, Melissa, spent hours at her bedside at the University Medical Center. Our daughters, Claudia and Claire, were with us on January 8 and have been with us throughout this long ordeal. Raoul Erickson, who is like a brother to Gabby, made multiple trips to Houston just to make sure she was eating all of her peas. Raoul would do anything for Gabby.
We deeply appreciate everything that Suzy Gershman has done for us over the years. We met her when we hired her to be our wedding planner in 2007 and she became a friend, planning everything else ever since. We’re not sure where this family would be without Suzy. Many, many thanks to Tilman and Paige Fertitta who are two of the most generous people in the world. Without their assistance this entire experience would have been far more difficult.
We could not have been better served by Gabby’s staff. Pia Carusone, Gabby’s chief of staff, is extraordinarily dedicated and loyal. She became a trusted partner and friend to me while getting her boss through this horrible ordeal. We could not have managed without her. Gabby’s district director, Ron Barber, was injured as he stood by her side on January 8, yet continued to do his job while recovering in the ICU. I will never forget seeing Ron on a conference call with Gabby’s staff from his ICU bed just days after being shot in the face and leg. That is the definition of service.
Rodd McLeod, Gabby’s longtime campaign manager and friend, put his life and future on hold to make sure that Gabby’s constituents were properly