Wheelchair man meets pope after 25,000km pootle

2:26am Monday 13th August 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

A severely disabled man from south-west London who has travelled thousands of kilometres around Europe in his wheelchair has met the Pope.

Chang Hyun Choi, who is paralysed from the neck down, travels at a maximum speed of 13km, and has covered some 25,000km over the past year.

He expects this to earn him a place in the Guinness Book of Records when he finishes his journey, which he has done to promote world peace and disabled rights in Korea.

He had his audience with Pope Benedict XVI last month when his incredible trip took him through Rome.

"The Pope encouraged him and said he was very impressed by his work," said Bona Shin, a friend who also lives in New Malden.

"He said it would pass the peace message to the world."

Accompanied by assistants, Mr Choi's destinations have included Belgium, Luxemburg, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Italy and Austria.

Mr Choi, from New Malden, will finish his epic journey in Berlin on Wednesday August 15, which is Korean independence day.

Yet he is already planning another trip.

"He won't let anyone know about it yet," said Ms Shin. "But if he succeeds in organising it, it will shock the world."