Deacon Wanbeom Lee(Parish 10 of Manmin Central Church)

Deacon Wanbeom Lee, President of Korea Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities Geumcheon Branch (Parish 10 of Manmin Central Church) received official commendation from the Mayor of Seoul in recognition of his contribution to promoting welfare of persons with physical disabilities on November 1, 2018.

He himself has the grade 2 disability (severely disabled). He suffered from polio when he was two and came to be unable to walk without crutches. But he has done everything in a positive attitude with faith and has not lost heart. Meantime, in 2001, his wife heard about the courses for those who want to become social workers and advised him to work in the field.

Afterwards, he became a social worker and has run a Green Community Care Center for the Elderly. He said with a shy smile, "I just wanted to give a little bit of help to those in difficulties, but they gave me this great award." His wife is Deaconess Myoungok Lee and they have a son and a daughter.

He gives lectures on human rights in some organizations to promote rights and interests of persons with disabilities. He also gained a master's degree concerning welfare for people with disabilities from Graduate School of Social Welfare in Soongsil University.

In addition to the commendation he had received the Certificate of Merit from the Award Committee for recognition as a Korean Proud Person with Physical Disabilities in 2009 since he had contributed to protecting rights and benefits of a neglected class of people and enhancing their willpower of self-supporting. In 2011, he also received the prize from Minister of Health and Welfare for his contribution to promoting the welfare of people with disabilities and encouraging organizations for disabilities to participate in local community activities.