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Senator Kirk releases video showing stroke recovery

Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) has released avideo showing his progress in recovering from his January stroke. The video is quite candid: it shows Kirk laboring to learn to walk again, with a cane, treadmill, and a harness. 

Senator Kirk even jokes a little in the video's voiceover as he's shown walking while rigged up to imaging equipment that's part of a rigorous experimental program intended to improve his gait. 

Kirk had a massive stroke January 21. He is expected to make a full mental recovery, but movement on his left side will probably not return fully. He has been working with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago since February. Kirk moved home with his family last week and continues his intensive rehabilitation with the institute. 

In the video, Kirk thanks everyone for their patience and support during his recovery. He also thanked the medical professionals who are helping him walk again, as well as his constituents: "...to the people of Illinois for granting me the honor to represent them in the United States Senate. I cannot wait to get back to work to vote to spend less, borrow less, and tax less to fix our economy." Kirk says his progress is giving him the hope he'll be able "to climb the 45 steps that my staff counted from the parking lot to the Senate front door, to fight for the people of Illinois."

 

 

Susan is an award-winning reporter/writer at her favorite radio station. She's also WNIJ's Perspectives editor, Under Rocks contributor, and local host of All Things Considered.
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