Doctors say Gabrielle Giffords is moving both legs and both arms, has opened both eyes and is responding to friends and family.

With a crowd of friends and family around her bed, the Arizona Congresswoman opened her left eye and tried to look around.

Neurosurgeon Dr Michael Lemole said today that means Giffords is aware of her surroundings.

It was likely she opened her eye because of the unexpected stimulation from so many people she knows.

Doctors have sat her up on the side of the bed and dangled her feet over the edge. They are holding back on medication.

She was shot in forehead in an assassination attempt that killed six.

The three-term Democrat still has a breathing tube in her throat and can't talk.