Richard M. Hansen

Rick Hansen as a child (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42041780@N04/4257328725/)

The innocent young boy in this photograph is unaware that his future will be forever altered in a few short years; that tragedy will be a catalyst for change and that he will dedicate his life to making the world a better place. He has not yet started to dream of competing in the Olympics. He is oblivious to his future celebrity and how his dedication and fame will lead to enormous change in how people with disabilities will be perceived. Rick is just your every day happy go lucky child…. But, Rick will become a focus of Canadian patriotism. Power-driven by his motto, “anything is possible”, paraplegic Rick Hansen exploits his disability to surpass the barriers between disabled people and non-disabled people. His audacious actions serve as a positive force to help people realize the potential that lies within the human spirit.

Richard Marvin Hansen was born on August 26, 1957 in Port Alberni, British Columbia. He was a natural athlete and a fierce competitor who loved adventure. His first “big dream” was to represent Canada at the Olympics. His adventure unfortunately led him on a fishing trip which was where Hansen’s life was about to shift direction. He and his best friend, Don Alder, were hitch-hiking home when they accepted a ride from a stranger in a pickup truck. The truck took a treacherous turn, and veered off the road and, although Alder was barely injured, Hansen would never walk again. In a mere moment, Hansen’s life flashed before him and was forever altered. He became a paraplegic: paralyzed for life. “But a shattered spine is not a shattered spirit” (“Early Years”). Hansen’s true potential laid in subsequent ventures. Rick Hansen was the first person with a disability to graduate with a degree in physical education. He became one of Canada's most celebrated athletes, winning nineteen International Wheelchair Marathons, six Paralympic medals, in addition to being a participant in the Los Angeles Olympic Games of 1984 as well as winning numerous other awards. “Rick likens participation in sports to participation in life” (“Celebrated Athletic Career”). As he once said, “Learning how to be a leader, set goals, win and lose with humility, inspire others and deal with setbacks and failures—these are all important life lessons” (Hansen qtd. in “Celebrated Athletic Career”).

Rick Hansen at celebration on last day of MIMWT (http://www.rickhansen.com/upload/images/LastDayofTour.jpg)

Rick Hansen’s actions reveal that one can achieve the impossible; he proved that true abilities surpass any disabilities that one may have. “They said it couldn’t be done, but Rick Hansen defied all the odds” (“Rick Hansen: Man In Motion”). His accomplishments generated great admiration from others. Hansen’s fame came from an epic journey known as the Man in Motion World Tour. He began a two year, 25,000 mile trip entirely on wheelchair across thirty-four countries, equivalent to the circumference of the Earth. From San Diego to Shanghai, he endured weather and bruises that most can’t even imagine. He helped people in despair see that they could meet their challenges rather than give up on themselves. This tour was motivated by his passion for sports and a desire to raise awareness for spinal cord research and improve the quality of life for disabled people. The Man in Motion Tour became a testament to the true strength of the potential that lies in us all (Oosthoek).

Rick Hansen increased the awareness around the difficulty that the disabled face within our society. He operated as a catalyst in generating recognition that accommodations have to be made in buildings, streets, and playgrounds so that they would be accessible to everyone. Hansen played a key role in changing the way people with disabilities were perceived. In addition, he was able to attract tremendous sponsorship for his tour which not only supported his travels, but provided great publicity for his cause. As he once said, “If we can educate people about focusing more on people’s abilities than on their disabilities, then we’ve succeeded. The message I’m trying to get across is there that is nothing that we can’t do, if we set out minds to it”--and he got this message out loud and clear (Hansen qtd. in Plummer).

Rick Hansen motivating a crowd (http://macleans.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/8307765.jpg)

Rick Hansen is an inspiration because he has not only made a statement with his personal travel around the world, but he has made a difference in the lives of the disabled. People everywhere are empathizing with the disabled beyond awareness. Ramps are being built to accommodate wheelchairs, courses are being taught to educate, and funds are being raised for spinal cord injury research through his efforts. Hansen became the President’s advisor on disability issues in 1987 and founded the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation in 1988. “Rick Hansen inspires others to challenge themselves and their organization in their search to find the courage and commitment to be the best that they can be” ("Rick Hansen”). Rick Hansen lives every day to the fullest. He inspires others to go above and beyond their capabilities. Hansen redefined the word disabled and he has made a life mission of focusing on self awareness. He co-authored the book, Going the Distance, which focuses on just that, self awareness. It brings everything that he has spent his life building together: decision making, goal setting, and change. He took the tragedy in his life and turned it into positive action. Rick Hansen has decided what he is going to do while he is here, with his every breath, and he challenges the rest of the world to do the same.