Gabrielle Giffords recovery continues, speaks to man who saved her life

Sat. April 2, 2011 2:50 PM by GoPride.com News Staff

Phoenix, AZ - The openly-gay intern widely credited with saving the life of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) when she was shot in the head on Jan. 8, said he has spoken on the phone with the congresswoman several times.

"It's great hearing her voice," Hernandez told The Arizona Republic on Saturday.

Hernandez was on his fifth day as an aide to Giffords when the shooting occurred outside a Tucson grocery store. He rushed to Giffords side and covered the wound in her head with his hand.

Hernandez would not reveal the details of their phone conversation out of respect for Giffords' privacy, saying, "Pretty soon you will be able to ask her yourself because she's just doing extremely well and recovering very quickly."

The 21-year-old intern told has been honored by President Obama and invited to the State of the Union. He is finishing up his junior year at University of Arizona and plans to graduate next May.

Six people died and 12 other people were wounded in rampage.

Giffords remains in rehabilitation at the Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.
 

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