Recovering from shoulder injury, Reid easing out of sling

Sen. Harry Reid reported today he is easing out of the sling that has been a part of his wardrobe since he fell and dislocated his right shoulder two weeks ago.

Reid said he visited a shoulder specialist this morning. "Everything is healing just fine," he said.

Reid, 71, said he goes back to the doctor in two weeks but in the meantime he is allowed to slip out of the sling when he is alone or around just a few people.

"When I sleep at night I have to put my sling on, I'm sorry to say," Reid said in a phone call with reporters. "When I am home I take my sling off." In crowds, he wears it for protection against his shoulder getting jostled.

Plus, Reid said, "When I have my sling on they tend to show me more pity."

Reid slipped while jogging in rainy weather on May 4. Besides the dislocated shoulder he sported an ugly bruise around his left eye that also appeared to be clearing.