There are some moments in the world of special needs advocacy that require few words, although the word ‘powerful’ quickly comes to mind. Seeing wheelchair athlete and spinal-cord-injury activist extraodinaire, Rick Hansen, as a torch bearer for the Olympics Opening Ceremony was one of those moments.
Canada’s ‘Man in Motion’ is paralyzed from the waist down, the result of a car crash at age 15. What Hansen has done since, including winning 19 wheelchair marathons, six medals in the Paralympics, and raising 26 million dollars for spinal cord research, is nothing short of remarkable. He is an inspiration and a great example for us all.
“When we remove barriers, anything is possible,” Hansen states.
I couldn’t agree more.
Find out more about the man and his mission and see videos of his 2010 Olympic appearance at the Rick Hansen Foundation.
Photo Judy Winter 09