corbin8or
Adventurer
TORONTO, April 13 (UPI) -- The first known quadriplegic person was documented reaching the North Pole, where he raised a blue disabled parking sign from his wheelchair.
A news release issued Monday in Toronto said lawyers David Shannon and Chris Watkins and support crew reached the magnetic pole Saturday.
Shannon, 46, is quadriplegic from a spinal cord injury in a car accident 25 years ago, while Watkins, 40, suffered injuries that left him with arthritis in 1988.
Both men are recovering from the expedition Monday in the polar town of Longyearbyen, Norway, the release said.
Watkins suffered frostbite to his hands and a cut to his foot, while Shannon experienced difficulty in maintaining body heat, which led to a major infection, the release said.
The men said they expected to return home to Thunder Bay, Ontario, "in a few days."
On planting the disabled parking spot sign at the pole, Shannon said it was meant as a symbol for others.
"This sign represents all people who have faced challenges or adversity in their lives and have dreamed of overcoming them," he said.
© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Chris Watkins and Dave Shannon, for the first time in history, planted a wheelchair access sign on the North Pole. Seen here is their sign and the United Nations Flag. (CNW Group/Team Independence)
A news release issued Monday in Toronto said lawyers David Shannon and Chris Watkins and support crew reached the magnetic pole Saturday.
Shannon, 46, is quadriplegic from a spinal cord injury in a car accident 25 years ago, while Watkins, 40, suffered injuries that left him with arthritis in 1988.
Both men are recovering from the expedition Monday in the polar town of Longyearbyen, Norway, the release said.
Watkins suffered frostbite to his hands and a cut to his foot, while Shannon experienced difficulty in maintaining body heat, which led to a major infection, the release said.
The men said they expected to return home to Thunder Bay, Ontario, "in a few days."
On planting the disabled parking spot sign at the pole, Shannon said it was meant as a symbol for others.
"This sign represents all people who have faced challenges or adversity in their lives and have dreamed of overcoming them," he said.
© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Chris Watkins and Dave Shannon, for the first time in history, planted a wheelchair access sign on the North Pole. Seen here is their sign and the United Nations Flag. (CNW Group/Team Independence)
