Senator Kirk: “I want to thank everyone for the patience and support they are giving me to recover”
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Kirk video on his rehabilitation ‘walking program’
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CHICAGO, IL – Yesterday U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) released a video outlining the progress of his recovery after suffering from an ischemic stroke in January and expressed his deep gratitude to the people of Illinois for allowing him the time he needs to recover.
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“I want to thank everyone especially for the patience they have given me to recover from a big stroke,” said Kirk. “[And also] 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.” Â In the video, Kirk also gives thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) for helping him to regain his walking abilities. He is working to be able to climb the 45 steps it will take to get to the front door of the Senate.Â
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Senator Kirk was first taken into care and underwent three surgeries at Northwestern Memorial hospital. Kirk later moved to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) on February 10, where he began in-patient therapy. On May 3, Senator Kirk was released from the RIC and moved home with his family.Â
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Kirk has begun a unique, rigorous out-patient walking program for post-stroke patients at RIC. The trial is focused on improving gait pattern through an intense regimen of continuous walking on flat surfaces, stairs and a treadmill. Kirk has walked more than 10 miles altogether since he arrived at RIC in February.Â
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