Story by 89 WLS reporter Bill Cameron
Stroke victim and Republican Senator Mark Kirk is scheduled to resume his duties Thursday morning by walking up the steps of the capitol in Washington with many of his fellow senators and Vice President Biden looking on.

In Washington today ABC7's Paul Meinke interviewed stroke victim Senator Mark Kirk who is scheduled to resumes his duties Thursday.

LISTEN: KIRK TO THOSE WHO WONDER IF HE'S UP TO THE JOB

LISTEN: WHY KIRK CHOSE THE CAPITOL STEPS TO MARK HIS RESUMPTION OF DUTIES

By all accounts, Senator Mark Kirk's recovery has been miraculous.

Even Democrat Senator Dick Durbin, the state's senior senator, who will walk up the steps with Kirk says, "Let me tell you, Mark's lucky to be alive. It was a stroke that would have claimed the lives of most people who were afflicted by it. And he's made an amazing miraculous recovery. There are limitations, of course there will be. He'll be able to serve as United States senator as my colleague. I'm anxious for him to get back, but he's excited about his return to the United States Senate."

And for the first time in about a year, Illinois will have its normal two votes in the United States Senate.

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HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (AP) - Sen. Mark Kirk says recovering from a major stroke a year ago is the hardest thing he's ever done.

The Illinois Republican tells the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald that he has a renewed sense of purpose and become more religious since the stroke in January 2012.

Kirk plans to return to the U.S. Senate on Thursday and climb the 45 steps of the Capitol. Kirk says that's something he visualized throughout his months of physical therapy.

The stroke limited movement on the left side of Kirk's body and affected his speech. He now speaks more slowly and deliberately and is expected to have a scaled-back schedule. He won't keep a packed travel schedule.

Kirk uses a four-pronged cane and may also use wheelchair.

Copyright © 2012 Associated Press