Man sets climbing record with bionic leg

CHICAGO -- Zac Vawter, 31, has made history, becoming the first amputee to climb 103 floors of one of the world's tallest skyscrapers with a bionic leg.

Vawter was wearing a prosthetic leg controlled by his mind yesterday when he participated in "SkyRise Chicago" by climbing the Willis Tower (formerly named the Sears Tower). The charity climb raises funds for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

As Vawter thought about climbing stairs, the motors, chains and belts in his leg synchronized the movements of its ankle and knee. Institute officials say the leg and its climber held up "fantastically." Vawter finished the climb in about 45 minutes.

Also climbing was Sen. Mark Kirk, who walked 37 floors beginning on the 66th floor in his first public appearance since a major stroke.-- AP