Kirk’s physical therapist to be guest for speech

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U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, a Highland Park Republican, suffered a major stroke last year that limited movement on the left side of his body and affected his speech   File photo by Bill Zars | Staff Photographer

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Sen. Mark Kirk has invited one of the physical therapists who helped him recover after his stroke to be his guest for next week's State of the Union address.

A spokesman for Kirk says Mike Klonowski of Chicago was one of the Republican senator's primary physical therapists at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

They say Kirk invited Klonowski because he wants to highlight the work physical therapists do.

Kirk, a Highland Park Republican, suffered a major stroke last year that limited movement on the left side of his body and affected his speech.

He went through months of rehabilitation before making an emotional walk up the steps of the U.S. Capitol and returning to work last month.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address Tuesday night.