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US Sen Kirk Continues Stroke Recovery

First photo of US Sen. Mark Kirk since his stroke.
First photo of US Sen. Mark Kirk since his stroke.

A doctor for US Senator Mark Kirk says he is "mentally sharp" four months after he suffered a stroke.

Kirk's doctor at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago says he's "quite pleased" with the senator's recovery.  A statement from the institute says Kirk has been meeting with his staff nearly every day to talk news and policy. And it says he's been able to climb stairs and get in and out of vehicles. The senator is also set to begin an intensive experimental rehab program that will include continuous walking over flat surfaces, on stairs and on a treadmill every day.

After Kirk's stroke in January, his doctors said the senator should make a full mental recovery, but could have trouble moving the left side of his body. They didn't elaborate Tuesday on how that left side is doing.  But they did release the first photo of Senator Kirk since he had a part of his skull removed following the stroke.  It shows him sitting, wearing an olive green polo and sporting a short haircut, with his right arm resting on a table.

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