Mark Kirk , Illinois state Senator, is reportedly doing well after a stroke he suffered in January.
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where the senator is currently located, has released a photograph of Kirk, as well as a statement calling him, “mentally sharp.”
The full statement by the Institute’s medical director, Richard L. Harvey, reads:
“Sen. Kirk remains fully engaged in all aspects of his rehabilitation program. He is mentally sharp, and meets with his staff nearly every day to discuss policy issues and global current events. Sen. Kirk is working very hard in daily therapy sessions to increase his strength and mobility, and has walked more than 10 miles in total since his arrival at RIC. In addition he is climbing stairs and getting in and out of vehicles. We are quite pleased with his ongoing recovery.”
Harvey also noted that Mark Kirk will be participating in a research study aimed at improving him back to his pre-stroke walking pace. The Harvey explained:
“The trial is focused on improving gait pattern through an intense regimen of continuous walking over flat surfaces, on stairs and on a treadmill every day. One of more than 200 research projects at RIC, the trial is open to participants who are one to six months post-stroke and not yet back to their pre-stroke walking pace.”
This indicates that, while the senator is much improved and has good mental clarity, he is not physically back to how he used to be.
Kirk, who is 52, checked himself into Lake Forest Hospital on January 21st, where doctors discovered a cartoid artery dissection on the right side of his neck. From there, he was transferred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where further tests confirmed he had suffered a stroke.
He has since gone through two brain surgeries, and then moved to the rehabilitation facility in February. Doctors, family members, and friends are all hopeful that the senator will make a full recovery. Rep Randy Hultgren commented that all updates regarding Senator Mark Kirk’s recovery has been “very good.” He said, “It’s going to be a long process, but I know he’s a fighter.”
Check out more information about Mark Kirk’s stroke here:
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