Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) returned to work today as he climbed 237 steps to the entrance of the Senate side of the United States Capitol just under a year after suffering a major stroke.
Assisted by Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Kirk walked slowly using a cane completing the ascent 10 minutes before the Vice President was scheduled to gavel the Senate into session for the 113th Congress.
Biden was not worried about the timing. “You’ve got all day, pal,” the vice president said to Kirk at the bottom of the stairs. Biden was the first person to greet Kirk when he appeared at the bottom of the steps, giving him a hug.
Next to hug his returning colleague at the bottom of the stairs was Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Springfield). Shortly after that, Kirk received a handshake from outgoing Rep. Robert Dold (R-Kenilworth) before climbing the steps. Dold’s term was set to expire in a few minutes.
As Kirk started his walk, he was greeted with cheers and applause from lawmakers lining the steps including the Illinois Congressional delegation. Prominent in front of the line were Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) and Rep. elect Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield).
, will be sworn in later today.
Many stroke sufferers with what passes for "excellent" private insurance still get kicked out of the hospital way too soon and are barely able to walk let alone climb even a few stairs to get to a bedroom. Heaven help them if they have bad or no insurance.
Ten years ago, my 80 years old mom has a stroke, for one month the sense of recognition and mobility to walk and feed herself are rapidly failed, even through numerous hospital visits. After invalid treatment and medicine for elder stroke patient, we decide to try alternative medicine- Chinese Acupuncture and medicinal massage for mom. After four treatments and one month later, miraculously and somehow expected, she started talking and walking miles and gradually recover until now. mom is 94 years and still smart talking with excellent memory like before. And her medicine treatment through alternative care is not cover by insurance, therefore, are completely out of pocket . Our government and healthcare should consider to cover licensed alternative medicine such as Chinese acupuncture and medicinal massage in order to bring a good health care to needed patients.
His "service" to America included running for president even when he knewhe was deathly ill. Did IMHO carry on about why STroger didn't resign until the politics was arranged to protect his kid?