Three Chicago Tribune reporters collaborated on a wonderful piece today focusing on stroke victims, and their challenges and victories in wake of devastating health traumas. On Page 4 of the online version, the story's focus is on former Illinois State Senator Frank Watson, who recounts his own 2008 stroke that forced him to step down from one of Illinois' highest political leadership roles.
The Tribune's must-read account relays the courage it took for Senator Watson to fight physical, mental and emotional battles while he continues to recover. (Watson is pictured right with his granddaughter)
Rehabilitation became Watson's fixation. He spent hours a day strengthening his mind, trying to recall as many animals as he could think of in a zoo, as many tools as he could think of in a toolbox, working crosswords and anagrams and reading his favorite authors. He stood in front of a mirror, reciting the alphabet and rehearsing tongue-twisting phrases. He also plodded through physical exercises, turning a crank using his right arm and lying on the floor to do leg lifts.
Watson moved from a wheelchair to a walker to a cane and eventually could walk unassisted.
After reading the details provided in the Tribune's account, we have a renewed appreciation for Senator Watson, as he exemplifies the determination needed to fight back wherever one is placed in life's battlefield - be it in politics, in business or in public service.
Keep up the good work and keep getting better, Senator Watson. Our hats are off to you.
And to Senator Mark Kirk, who's own stroke earlier this week prompted the Tribune story, we continue to wish a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are like the senators quoted in the story:
"Everybody feels, 'Best wishes for Mark,' both Republicans and Democrats, because we all have the feeling, 'There but for the grace of God go I,'" [U.S. Senator Tim] Johnson said.
