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Sen. Kirk goes back to Senate following stroke recovery

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    Dr. Marc Siegel talks about lawmaker's return

  • Duration 4:42
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Now this Fox News alert senator Mark Kirk returning to congress in -- -- do have some live pictures for you from Capitol Hill it's been.

One year since Illinois Republicans suffered a major stroke suddenly.

Senator Kirk making a remarkable recovery he had to learn to walk all over again.

And 53 year old is marking his return to the senate today.

By blocking -- the stats I've used to -- as you can see there have rare and true and genuine moment.

-- bipartisanship as lawmakers have -- Dexia.

Climb the stairs -- mansion there of course I senator as well.

Who has visited senator Kirk many times out and in Illinois I'm so joining us now doctor Marc Siegel associate professor of medicine in and -- you mango and Fox News medical aid team or we're gonna keep at this.

This shot as we witness this event.

Doctor -- but can you just tell us what that journey would be like from suffering a terrible stroke.

And that.

Seven did even you know there was question about whether or not he -- survived -- this moment of being able to walk at this tennis Ayers what's that journey life.

-- he's only 53 years old and two thirds of strokes -- to people more than 65.

It's the right side of the brain which the wiring goes across so it affects the left side of the body.

And would you believe 70% of people never returned to their jobs after having a stroke so.

What an inspiration it is to see him go back to work.

He noted back to the senate for people all over the country who have this -- had a stroke it's the number one cause of disability the United States to see him return to work.

It's really really inspired.

To stroke patients everywhere.

In his journey had three brain surgeries along the way doctor Siegel what what causes a stroke.

-- -- -- -- -- get a ticket for a moment -- -- take -- and I doctors did I thought it was worth it off for all of us says -- -- while we heard that round of applause and with senator Kirk as he reached the top there.

But going back please it.

What what what is the cause of the stroke.

What in many different causes it could be a blood -- can be -- believed in his case and this is true for most young people have a stroke.

It's do or -- section in the next one of the main arteries the carotid -- of the neck.

He had a problem -- that.

Now he's on blood centers -- -- saying the secretary of state Clinton is on now interesting you -- his surgeries general what they actually did.

Was at the same as with Gabriel Giffords they remove part of his skull to allow the book brain to swell to expand.

And that helped him going forward they were then able to put this go back together.

Now with the rehabilitation he had people that are younger -- have strokes do better they do much better.

-- -- can do to prevent one.

Well you -- there's a lot of things you can do to prevent one diet.

Exercise.

Not having alcohol not smoking for Americans out there stop smoking and be active.

Get your blood pressure and the control and get your diabetes under control if you have it.

In his case there really wasn't any way to prevent it but the blood -- is going forward will help them from having a recurrence.

The right side of the brain controls facial emotions judgment.

But you can see just from the way he's responded to this that he's really really come a long way rehabilitation medicine is doing miracles in the United States for patients like senator Kirk.

And especially -- witness -- about Johnny quest that's great to see that today he was escorted up the steps there by two Democrats leave vice president Joseph Biden.

And also Joseph -- -- you mentioned earlier Democrat of West Virginia the senate the world's most exclusive club and despite all of the Rinker we're hearing about on Capitol Hill at this moment.

Both parties seem to be getting together to welcome this senator back from mom.

-- on nearly yearlong and nearly fatal problem you you said 70%.

Of people.

Never even returned to work so the fact that he's going back to his job at the US senate now less than a year after this happened doctor.

That is remarkable.

Seven Emerson never return to their jobs and we're seeing such courage here that it's inspiring and John I've always said.

Health problems should cut across the dial it's inspiring with senator Kirk is -- am very glad to see Dennis senators on both sides in the vice president rallying to this because this is what it's all about this is what Americans want a sick and he did say that he hopes to inspire other stroke victims by his by his work doctor Marc Siegel good to have you -- thank you.

Great to -- -- -- as.

Well.

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