Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords will jump out of a plane on Wednesday to mark the third anniversary of the shooting in Tucson, Ariz., that killed six, injured 11 in addition to Giffords, and left the congresswoman with a grave head wound that would ultimately force her to resign from office.
Giffords loved to skydive before the attack, according to Today Show segment, and the jump is a mark of the progress she has made through intensive physical therapy. She will board a plane with her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, her mother and Savannah Guthrie of Today. She'll make the dive with a Navy SEAL that she has jumped with before.
Giffords has inspired many as the country watched her march to a remarkable recovery.
It's been step by step since I was shot three years ago. I've overcome a lot. Progress has come from working hard.
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) January 8, 2014
Today, I grieve, I remember, and I take another step. I'm stronger now. I'm winning back movement in my right arm.
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) January 8, 2014
I have the opportunity to do something I love: skydiving with my friend, former Navy SEAL Jimmy Hatch. pic.twitter.com/7XlTiyQRfO
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) January 8, 2014
Southern Arizona will look beautiful & peaceful from the top of the sky.
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) January 8, 2014
The former Congresswoman and her husband have also been outspoken advocates for gun control in America after the shooting in a supermarket parking lot with her constituents. Together, they founded Americans for Responsible Solutions in an attempt to counter gun lobbyists.
Today will broadcast the jump on Thursday. The other Tucson shooting victims will be honored with several ceremonies throughout the city.
UPDATE, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2 p.m.: Giffords landed safely, as photographed by her husband, Mark:
Gabby landed beautifully. Happy she's safe. So proud of her bravery. pic.twitter.com/GTXWP2oNP0— Mark Kelly (@ShuttleCDRKelly) January 8, 2014
Today's Guthrie also captured a picture of her stuck in landing.
Wow @gabbygiffords sticks the landing! Amazing and inspiring. See it as it happened on @todayshow tomorrow pic.twitter.com/YJH3DuP8fX— Savannah Guthrie (@SavannahGuthrie) January 8, 2014
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Image: Joshua Lott/Getty Images