OAKWOOD, Ill. — Jackson Cunningham lurches across the gym, racing a fellow sixth-grader toward a doorstop tossed onto the floor. His right side is outstretched, but his left side trails behind — a lingering effect of the paralysis he has endured since suffering a stroke in 2011.
The 11-year-old is beaten by an inch but heads back to the sidelines with a smile.
It is the same quiet determination he showed when pushing a more famous stroke victim — a U.S. senator — to conquer his own pain and doubts.
Jackson and Illinois Republican Mark Kirk have warmed hearts and inspired fellow stroke patients with their odd-couple friendship, an unlikely meeting of two distinct worlds — one full of Legos and zombies, the other focused on Iran sanctions and immigration reform.
A visit to Jackson’s school and another to witness his grueling routine at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago demonstrated the spunk behind the boy’s advice urging Kirk not to give up on himself.
“I feel just a little lucky, not having something more severe,” said Jackson, who’s been called on to share his own rehab story in hopes of inspiring other kids.
The National Stroke Association estimates that strokes affect 6 out of 100,000 children.
Almost a year after Kirk returned to the Senate, Jackson carries on with his own rehabilitation, confronting typical concerns about plateauing and not getting more of his strength and motion back.
News of Kirk’s own ischemic stroke in February 2012 — caused, like Jackson’s, by a blood clot — hit home with the Cunninghams. At a speech-therapy session, Jackson’s grandmother suggested the boy write Kirk a letter.
Letters soon were exchanged with increasing rapidity. Jackson updated the senator with milestones. Kirk nicknamed him “Little Cabbage.”
The two often talk about zombies, video games and Kirk’s ferocious black cat, Cleopatra.
“His ability to stay positive and keep fighting without hesitation is what I keep in mind every day as I continue working,” Kirk said.
