Disabled Korean to cross U.S. in wheelchair

A Korean man suffering from cerebral palsy is going to cross the 5,000-kilometer breadth of the continental United States by wheelchair operated by his mouth. Choe Chang-Hyon, who cannot move his hands and feet due to cerebral palsy, will embark on an adventure that even normal persons hardly would dare.

Choe left for Los Angeles on August 12 with three volunteers and a physical therapist for the crusade.

The disabled Korean plans to depart Los Angeles on a wheelchair he operates with his mouth on August 17 for his final destination, Washington, D.C., via Las Vegas, Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis and Indianapolis.

He will travel 100 kilometers on average a day. The toughest parts of the journey will be the 700-kilometer of desert stretching from Las Vegas to the state of Utah and the Rocky Mountain Range he must go over to reach Denver.

The desert area is notorious for sizzling weather of up to 45 degrees Celsius in the summer, and the mountains have a very wayward weather typical of high ranges, which even normal persons can hardly endure.