Sen. Mark Kirk Releases New Video Showing Progress From Stroke

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 6, 2012 1:30PM

Sen. Makr Kirk's office released another video on Sunday updating Illinoisans on his progress recovering from a debilitating stroke he suffered in late January.

Kirk recently completed a nine-week mobility study at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago to improve his walking, range of motion and speech. During the study Kirk walked nearly 15 miles and climbed 145 flights of stairs. He graciously the staff at the Rehabilitation Institute in a press release. Kirk's transparency in his recovery has also been a marked contrast to that of Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., who has been on a medical leave of absence from Congress since June 10 and is in treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for depression and gastrointestinal issues amid speculation as to the extent of his illnesses.

“I released this video to make sure that people know what my condition is, to be an example to other Illinois families...” Sen. Kirk said. “I want to thank the people of Illinois for their patience with this patient to recover from a big stroke.”

This is the second video Kirk has released charting his progress; the first video was released in March. Kirk also said he's been in contact with his staff in his Washington, DC office "several times a day" working on legislation and is working with senior Sen. Dick Durbin to select a replacement for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.