World's tallest man tries to fit in -- literally

Nation & World News

PODOLYANTSI, Ukraine — Leonid Stadnik's phenomenal height has forced him to quit a job he loved and to stoop as he moves around his house.

The world's tallest man has struggled to fit in. In 2006, Leonid Stadnik was officially measured at 8 feet 5 inches tall, surpassing a 7-foot-9-inch Chinese man to claim the title of the world's tallest person. Here, Ukraineian President Viktor Yushchenko looks up to his tallest subject on Monday.

Leonid Stadnik takes a spin on a specially built bicycle. His growth spurt began at age 14 after a brain operation that apparently stimulated the overproduction of growth hormone. Doctors say he has been growing ever since.

Stadnik, a bachelor, loves animals, but had to quit his job as a veterinarian at a cattle farm after suffering frostbite when he walked to work in his socks in winter. He could not afford custom made shoes for his 17-inch feet.

On Monday, Stadnik got a new car, courtesy of President Viktor Yushchenko. Stadnik struggled to squeeze himself into the passenger's seat, his knees nearly reaching up to his face.

Stadnik, 37, had to quit his job as a veterinarian because of his height. Here he tries to work a cellphone. He has made many online friends, including several in the United States, Australia and Russia. Stadnik hopes to learn English so he can communicate better; currently, he relies on computer translations, which he says are often inadequate.

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The world's tallest man has struggled to fit in. In 2006, Leonid Stadnik was officially measured at 8 feet 5 inches tall, surpassing a 7-foot-9-inch Chinese man to claim the title of the world's tallest person. Here, Ukraineian President Viktor Yushchenko looks up to his tallest subject on Monday.

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