Inductee Profile
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At a glance
Born: August 26, 1957Where: Port Alberni, BC Interesting Note:
Order of Canada Citation:
Hansen was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada on June 29, 1987. His citation reads:
"Already a world-renowned wheelchair athlete, this British-Columbian fulfilled a dream of wheeling around the world to make others aware of the potential of the disabled and to raise funds for spinal cord research among other things. His 44,000 km. journey, recently completed, took him to four continents and 33 countries, inspiring people around the world to realize their potential and raising many millions of dollars for the cause."
Hansen was named Commissioner General for the Canadian Pavilion at Expo '88 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
In 1986, a township in Sudbury District, Ontario, previously named the Geographical Township of Stalin, altered its name to the Township of Hansen in the athlete's honour. It is now within the boundary of the municipality of Killarney.
Hansen is the co-author of two books: the autobiographical Rick Hansen: Man in Motion, written with Jim Taylor (published in 1987, ISBN 0-88894-560-4), and the self-help book Going the Distance: 7 steps to personal change, written with Dr. Joan Laub.
* Special Achievement Award, University of British Columbia (1979–1982)
* "Outstanding Athlete of the Year," by Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association (1980)
* Lou Marsh/Canadian Outstanding Athlete of the Year Award; co-winner, Wayne Gretzky (1983)
* Outstanding Young Person of the World for personal improvement and accomplishment by Junior Chamber International (1983)
* University of British Columbia's Alumni Award of Distinction (1983)
* Athlete of the Week: by ABC Wide World of Sports (1983)
* British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame, W.A.C. Bennett Award (1983)
* Newsmaker of the Year by Canadian Press (1986)
* Companion of the Order of Canada (29 March 1988)
* Order of British Columbia (1990)
* Terry Fox Hall of Fame (1993)
* W.A.C. Bennett Award (BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum) (1994)
* Induction into Canada Sports Hall of FameCanada's Sports Hall of Fame (2006)
* Canada's Walk of Fame (2007)
* Recipient of CPA Alberta's Christopher Reeve Award (2007)
* UBC Sports Hall of Fame
* Honorary Doctor of Laws, UBC
* Honorary Doctor of Laws, Vancouver Island University (2009)
* Honorary Doctor of Laws, Carleton University (2009)
* Honorary Doctor of Laws, Simon Fraser University (2008)
* Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Northern British Columbia (2008)
* Honorary Doctor of Letters, Thompson Rivers University, Williams Lake Campus(2007)
* William Van Horne Visionary Award (2006)
* Honorary Doctor of Letters, McGill University (2005)
* Honorary Doctor of Laws, McMaster University (1999)
* Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Western Ontario (1997)
* Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Regina (1997)
* Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Toronto (1995)
* Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Victoria (1994)
* Royal Bank Award (1994)
* University of British Columbia Athletic Hall of Fame (1994)
* Honorary Doctor of Laws, Saint Mary's University (1993)
* People In Motion, a not-for-profit organisation was after Hansen
* Three public schools have been named after Hansen:
o Rick Hansen Secondary School, Abbotsford, British Columbia
o Rick Hansen Secondary School, Mississauga, Ontario
o Rick Hansen Elementary School, London, Ontario
Honorary appointments:
* Honorary Director, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (2002)
* Honorary Board member, Think First Foundation (1998–2000)
* Honorary Chair, Brain and Spinal Cord Research Centre Campaign, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (1995)
* Honorary Patron, B.C. Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (1995–Present)
* Honorary Chair, Grey Cup Festival (1994)
* Honorary Chair, Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (1990–Present)
* Honorary Chair, Alberta Premier's Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (1989–Present)
* Honorary Chair, BC Premier's Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (1989–Present)
RICK HANSEN
2007 INDUCTEE
View all inductees from 2007 »In 1985, Rick Hansen pushed his wheelchair out of Vancouver, BC, and set out on a journey that would make history. His legendary Man in Motion World Tour spanned more than 40,000 km through 34 countries, took over two years to complete, and raised more than $26 million for spinal cord injury research. Rick’s incredible achievement became a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of teamwork. His courage and determination inspired us to believe in the possibility of a fully accessible and inclusive society, and a cure for spinal cord injury.
Following a car crash at the age of 15, Rick sustained a spinal cord injury that paralyzed him from the waist down. Forced to define a new life for himself, Rick never hesitated to challenge society’s perceptions about what is possible for someone like him. He was the first student with a physical disability to graduate in Physical Education from the University of British Columbia. He went on to become a world-class athlete, competing for Canada in the 1984 Para-Olympic Games and winning 19 international wheelchair marathons, including three world championships. In 1987, Rick was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada and has received several honourary degrees. As a positive role model dedicated to improving the world around him, Rick has a remarkable ability to engage and motivate youth.
He regularly shares his message of hope, inspiration and the importance of making a positive difference in the lives of others with young people across Canada. Today, Rick is still a Man in Motion. As President and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation, Rick remains committed to advancing spinal cord research and making communities more accessible and inclusive for people with a spinal cord injury. Through Rick’s leadership, the Foundation has generated more than $178 million for spinal cord injury-related programs and initiatives. Rick lives in Richmond, BC, with his wife, Amanda, and their three daughters Emma, Alana and Rebecca. He has a passion for the outdoors and volunteers his time to support fish conservation. As Chair of both the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society and the Pacific Salmon Endowment Fund, Rick is a strong voice for helping to restore and protect sturgeon and salmon populations.
Beginning on August 24, 2011 in Cape Spear, Newfoundland, the 25th Anniversary Relay will retrace the Canadian segment of the original Tour, but this time one man in motion will be represented and celebrated by many in motion; engaging 7,000 participants from across Canada who have made their own difference in the lives of others.
The Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay Fast Facts
•Begins on August 24, 2011 in Cape Spear, Newfoundland and concludes in Vancouver, British Columbia on May 22, 2012.
•Fully recreates the original Man In Motion cross-Canada tour, spanning 12,000 kilometres from coast to coast.
•Will travel through over 600 communities, visit every capital city and all provinces and territories and reach over 70% of the Canadian population.
•Will engage approximately 7,000 Medal-Bearers – difference makers in their own right – who will cover an average of 40 to 80 kilometres a day, making their way across the country passing a singular Rick Hansen Medal to the next participant.
•All Canadians and permanent residents (13 years and up) are able to apply to become a Medal-Bearer at www.rickhansenrelay.com.
RELATED NEWS
Just over 26 years ago Canadian paralympian Rick Hansen began his Man in Motion tour from Oakridge Mall in Vancouver, wheel-chairing around the world to raise awareness and money for spinal cord research and quality of life programs.Four continents, 34 countries and over 40,000 kilometres later, Hansen returned to Vancouver on May 22, 1987 having raised over $26 million. The venue to welcome him home was BC Place Stadium.
Saskatchewan is teaming up with the "Man in Motion" on spinal cord injury research and to help people with disabilities.The province plans to spend more than $4.3 million on a five-year initiative in partnership with the Rick Hansen Institute.
That includes $1 million for research and $500,000 for the Canadian Paraplegic Association of Saskatchewan.
It’s not the Man in Motion World Tour, but the next best thing: The Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay, and it stops in Maple Ridge in next year.
The district will be among 600 communities across Canada that will welcome the relay, a nine-month journey starting in Cape Spear, Nfld. this August and ending in Vancouver in May 2012.
Hansen won’t be part of the relay but will visit checkpoints along the way.
