Rick Hansen Foundation

A celebrated athlete, a catalyst for change in society’s attitudes and a man dedicated to making a difference, Rick Hansen is best known as Canada’s Man In Motion.

At the age of 15, Rick Hansen sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) in a car crash. Paralyzed from the waist down, he slowly came to terms with how to deal with his new life, setting new goals from new dreams. After months of rehabilitation, Rick returned to his first passion: sports. Fuelled by his mantra ‘anything is possible’, he went on to win 19 international wheelchair marathons, including six medals as a Paralympian.

Inspired by the dream of a world accessible and inclusive for all, and a passion to make a difference in the lives of others, Rick set out on a journey, his legendary Man In Motion World Tour, on March 21, 1985 . Rick wheeled more than 40,000km through 34 countries, raising $26 million for SCI research and quality of life programs. More importantly was the collective shift in consciousness in the belief of the potential of people with disabilities when barriers are removed.

A recipient of the Companion Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia Rick continues to have a far reaching impact on the world of sport. He chaired the Commission for the Inclusion of Athletes with Disabilities, a special committee of the International Paralympic Committee, successful in creating full medal status for Commonwealth Games athletes and, in 1980, was named ‘Athlete of the Century’ by British Columbia Wheelchair Sport. .

March 21, 2010 will mark the 25th anniversary of the day Rick embarked on his Man In Motion World Tour, and today, his journey continues. As President & CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation, he has helped to generate $200 million for SCI research and quality of life programs. His efforts have continued to improve the prognosis for newly injured individuals and have increased support and care for those living with SCI providing opportunities for them to live to their full potential.

Despite a lifetime of accomplishments, Rick believes his best work is in front of him as he expands the work of his Foundation internationally and continues to pursue those dreams that first inspired the Man In Motion World Tour; to find a cure for SCI and to build on the great example Canada has become in making the world fully accessible and inclusive for everyone. His passion and commitment to making an extraordinary difference in the lives of others continues.