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The Long, Determined Climb Back:

Bob Dole was determined to regain as much function as possible -- that would take hard work. He took every opportunity for physical therapy, whether home-made or through the Army medical system.

He was fortunate in having a loving and supportive family. His father, Doran Dole, made him the set of weights pictured at left, with help from Dole's brother Kenny.

However, his injuries were too extensive for physical therapy alone to tackle. New, experimental medical techniques only available in the private sector could help him -- but they were not affordable for most American families.

But Bob Dole was doubly fortunate -- he not only had a supportive family, he had a supportive home town.