Senator Kirk Releases New Video About Rehab From Stroke
CHICAGO (CBS) -- U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk's office has released a new video showing parts of his continuing recovery from a major stroke in January.
In a three-minute video on his Senate website, Kirk is seen walking on a treadmill, walking down a hallway with the help of a cane, climbing stairs at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and speaking from his home in Fort Sheridan, Ill.
"I wanted to make sure that we could update the people of Illinois on my progress against the stroke, and provide regular updates," Kirk says in the video. "The progress that I have made has been very encouraging; learning to walk again, and improving my speaking skills, all due to the experts at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago."
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It's the second time Kirk's office has released a video of the senator discussing his rehab from an ischemic stroke he suffered in January, and showing some of the steps he's been taking to learn to walk again.
According to the video, Kirk recently finished a nine-week "mobility study" that entailed walking 3,677 steps per day, walking a total of nearly 15 miles, and climbing 145 flights of stairs.
"The changes to my daily life have been very important. Now I'm no longer in inpatient. Now I'm in my own library, back in Fort Sheridan," Kirk says. "Very good to be at home, out of an institution."
The senator said he's been briefed almost daily on important events for the state, and talks to his staff several times each day to talk about key issues. He also said he receives regular emails from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell regarding upcoming Senate votes.
He also visited with U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Illinois) and other members of Congress during his rehabilitation.
"It's been really touching to have these visits from colleagues who come all the way from Washington. They have been really morale boosters," Kirk said.
The senator also says he's been working with fellow U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) on the process of nominating a full-time successor to retired U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald, who stepped down this summer.
"Our state needs a good U.S. Attorney that is as much like Patrick Fitzgerald as we can get," Kirk says.
