Ron Barber, 65, Giffords' Tucson district director, was released from University Medical Center today so he could attend the funeral of U.S. District Judge John M. Roll, The Washington Post reported.
Roll, 63, was one of six people who were killed when a gunman opened fire at Giffords and her staff as they were meeting with constituents.
Rep. Giffords' Office / AP
Ron Barber, right, sits Thursday with Anna Ballis, who administered first aid to Barber after Saturday's shooting in Tucson, Ariz. Barber was released from the hospital Friday, two days after undergoing surgery, so he could attend the funeral of a federal judge killed in the massacre.
"My dad is a hands-on guy; the hospital bed doesn't suit him," Douglas said.
Giffords herself is continuing to recover from a gunshot wound to the head, doctors said today. Giffords shows signs of being able to perform "more complex sequences" of actions in response to commands, said G. Michael Lemole, chief neurosurgeon at UMC. She is also able to open her eyes more frequently.
"We're very encouraged that she continues to make all the right moves in the right direction," Lemole said. "We couldn't have hoped for any better improvement than we're seeing now" given the severity of her injury, he said.
Read more at The Washington Post.