Therapy Begins for Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa’s condition continues to improve, and the Catholic missionary from Calcutta began physical therapy Monday, according to her physicians at the Scripps Clinic & Research Foundation.

Mother Teresa is reported in “fair condition,” and doctors who are treating her for pneumonia and congestive heart failure say her cardiac status is stable, and her lungs continue to improve. She was taken to the hospital Dec. 26 after visiting her Missionaries of Charity community in Tijuana.

The physical therapy included walking and motion exercises, Scripps spokeswoman Sue Pondrom said.

The San Diego Blood Bank, meanwhile, said a request by the 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate that persons donate blood has been taken to heart by area residents. Blood Bank spokeswoman Stephanie Casenza said donations since Saturday have increased significantly, “which we’re attributing to her.”