Kirk Speaks, Walks on Video
Senator releases video thanking citizens and showing his rehab effort.
Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) released a video Tuesday thanking the citizens of Illinois in his own voice for their support during his rehabilitation from a stroke suffered Jan. 21 and three resulting surgeries.
Kirk left the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Friday to continue his recovery from the stroke at the home of family members.
Earlier: Kirk Heads Home From Rehab Center
“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."
Kirk made it clear in the video he plans to return to the United States Senate and is making the physical challenges of the job one of the focuses of his recovery process. He intends to climb the 45 steps to get to the front door of the Senate, according to a release sent by his office.
In the video, Kirk also describes and demonstrates his therapy in a clinical trial focused on improving the gait pattern through an intense regiment of continuous walking on flat surfaces, stairs and a treadmill.
Dan C
5:11 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
He's a credit to the State of Illinois.
Nightcrawler
5:17 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
I agree. I didn't vote for him, but I have a lot of respect for him. And he doesn't bend to the mindless right.
Winnetka
12:25 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
God speed recovery to MK.
deerfield 60015
7:00 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Illinois deserves two participating Senators. It is sad that Kirk is currently incapacitated. However his constituents should not be incapacitated by his inability to do the job for which he was elected.
Nightcrawler
8:24 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
I supposed you're correct in principle, but I disagree with the reality. I think the nation as a whole benefits by the presence of that increasingly endangered species, the moderate Republican senator. And Kirk seems to be a pretty good bet to recover.
deerfield 60015
9:25 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Kirk is no moderate. It would have been nice had he voted for health care for all since he's receiving the BEST health care in the world.
Nightcrawler
10:03 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
The operative phrase was "moderate Republican." And of course that's what Kirk is. It means he'll at least listen to reason, and sometimes vote for it. My point is, there aren't many like him left, and the nation is poorer for it. The alternative is intransigence, which I've seen enough of.
deerfield 60015
9:40 am on Friday, May 11, 2012
Kirk is NOT a moderate...he voted with Bush 92% of the time....he votes party line...he doesn't think....he follows.
McCloud
9:20 am on Friday, May 11, 2012
Listen to reason? You mean like agreement to increase our debt by 5 trillion dollars? Fund bankrupt wind and solar companies? How about taking over out auto industry? Or perhaps passing a law that nobody seems to understand that freezes employment for fear of increased fees and beckons huge costs for healthcare levied on our unsustainable liability of some $150 trillion for bankrupt programs like Medicare and Social Security? Sounds reasonable to me.
deerfield 60015
9:42 am on Friday, May 11, 2012
Keep spewing those stupid talking points.....
Nightcrawler
9:43 am on Friday, May 11, 2012
McCloud, 60015 - You guys make my point in two consecutive posts. Dang, I wish everything was this easy.
newsjunkie
10:08 am on Friday, May 11, 2012
Gabby Giffords similarly wasn't able to do the job for which she was elected for some time. Would you also have suggested she step down after she was shot? I'd hope that no job, private or public would be given away immediately if something catastrophic happens to a person.
McCloud
10:20 am on Friday, May 11, 2012
Your point is made every day, record unemployment, record foreclosures, record debt, record bankrupcies, no need to post for you anymore.