US Congressman Kennedy feels good

U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy feels good after drug rehabilitation and waits opportunity to back to work. He is sure in his health and considers his presence at work place necessary. Remind, that six-term congressman checked into the clinic on May 5, one day after a middle-of-the-night car crash near the U.S. Capitol that he said he could not remember. He also had been treated at the clinic over the Christmas holidays.

Photo: US Congressman Kennedy feels good

Kennedy called the accident "a wake up call" and said he was grateful he did not hurt anyone. The experience "has reaffirmed for me that the challenge of mental illness is a part of everyone's experience whether it has touched an individual, a friend or family member," he said. He said he received "an outpouring of support" while he was at the clinic. "Hundreds shared their personal experience with this disease," he said.

"Congressman Kennedy's doctors are encouraged by his progress and have worked with him to put in place a stringent system of after care that may include periodic visits to Mayo Clinic for continued health care consultation," the clinic assured in a statement released by Kennedy's office.

The Washington accident raised questions about whether Kennedy, 38, was given special treatment by police, who did not conduct field sobriety tests. Capitol Police cited him for three traffic violations and said he appeared to be intoxicated.

Kennedy, the son of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, has been a passionate advocate for improved mental health care coverage and has spoken publicly about his own battles with depression, alcoholism and substance abuse, reports the AP.

N.U.