172: support for the world's tallest man

I found this touching story on Christian Science Monitor today and just had to post it. Some of you may have heard of Leonid Stadnik, the Ukrainian man confirmed last year as the world's tallest. At 8 ft 5 inches, life is not easy for Leonid - who has been growing constantly since undergoing a brain operation at the age of 14. He struggles to support his large frame at times and must stoop to move about his mother's home, where he still lives. Fortunately, however, his growth now seems to have slowed, and since the publicity associated with his Guinness Book of Records listing he has received support locally and from overseas. Well-wishers have helped him acquire custom-made shoes and clothes and a giant bicycle. Then, last week, Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko presented him with a new car! After so many years of suffering, it seems that Leonid can finally relax a little and may even be able to return to work - he had worked as a vet until he could no longer find suitable footwear. Indeed, he says his dreams are coming true... His local internet service provider recently gave him a computer, too, so I suspect the world may hear more from Leonid himself via the web, as his new life evolves... (Photo from Reuters via CSM.)