Wheels in Motion
Aluki Chupik-Hall
Six-year-old Aluki Chupik-Hall has severe scoliosis, an often-painful condition that requires her to wear a back brace for up to 23 hours a day and, when she is older, possibly having to undergo surgery to fuse her spine.
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Rick Hansen Wheels In Motion, presented by Scotiabank, is an annual fundraising event that has touched thousands of lives since its inception in 2003. Over the years, $10.8 million has been raised in support of more than 900 Quality of Life projects. Wheels In Motion events are held across Canada and, while they vary in size and scope, all help to increase public awareness of spinal cord injury (SCI) issues and strengthen bonds within the SCI community.
The 8th Annual Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion takes place June 13 2010.
Wheels In Motion began as a grassroots, community-based events program designed to bring the SCI community together, celebrate the spirit of the original Man In Motion World Tour, and raise awareness and funds to accelerate improvements in the lives of people living with SCI through both research and quality of life initiatives. Since 2007, all funds raised through Wheels In Motion have been directed to Quality of Life initiatives.
Local Focus
Whenever possible, local communities benefit directly from the funds they raise. “Quality of Life Teams”, made up of local people with SCI and other members of the SCI community, identify individual and community needs in the areas of active living, peer support and leadership and help to develop customized solutions to meet those needs. Funds are then distributed accordingly.
A few examples of Quality of Life projects include:
- Peer support programs and other support services
- Equipment and assistive devices
- Sports and leisure activities
- Education, skills development and employment initiatives
- Accessibility (community, transportation and housing)
- Participation in research studies
- Post-injury community re-integration
Ambassador Program
Another unique feature of Wheels In Motion is its Ambassador Program, which trains and fields volunteer public speakers with SCI in communities across Canada. Wheels In Motion Ambassadors are remarkable individuals who share their personal stories of courage and inspiration in order to spread the message that any obstacle can be overcome and encourage people to make a difference in their own communities by supporting Wheels In Motion.
Rick Hansen Institute
Originally an innovation of the Rick Hansen Foundation, and as part of a broader unified vision, Wheels In Motion became a Rick Hansen Institute (RHI) program in January 2010. RHI is responsible for creating local Quality of Life Teams in event communities and allocating Wheels In Motion funds based on their recommendations. RHI is a registered charitable organization that strives to minimize disability and maximize quality of life for people with SCI.
