Charles has always been in a wheelchair with regard to X-Men, right from the first X-Men comic book. He's a parapalegic.

Wasn't he standing when they went to see Jean in this last movie? That must have just been a change from the comics.

I didn't remember this from the days I used to read X-Men comics, but apparently his having been a prisoner at Auschwitz was established during the '80s (I dont' believe I was reading them at that point).

Aah, I see. I thought it was some kind of mutant-camp angst thing. Thanks :)