Twenty-five years after the Man in Motion World Tour ended, Rick Hansen is still working to change the lives of people with spinal cord injuries. On May 22, the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay will complete its cross-Canada journey here, in Vancouver.
To celebrate, Canadian difference-makers and entertainers will gather at Pacific Coliseum for Rick Hansen Celebration 25, a spectacular live show that will also serve to launch the first annual Rick Hansen Day of Possibilities a national public fundraising campaign, which sets the stage for the next 25 years of progress in the areas of spinal cord injury research, accessibility and inclusivity.
Notables including environmentalist David Suzuki, Free The Children founder Craig Kielburger, and Paralympic gold-medalist Lauren Woolstencroft will participate in the show as part of a group of outstanding Canadians who serve as inspiring reminders of what can be done to bring positive change to their communities.
Vancouver is one of the most wheelchair-accessible cities in the world thanks to the transformative efforts of the Rick Hansen Foundation and thousands of champions, according to the founder.
It hasnt happened overnight. A lot of amazing things helped us think about being accessible: the Man In Motion Tour; having 3,000 people close out the Decade of Disabled Persons in 92; a good friend of mine, Sam Sullivan being mayor of the city, and hosting the Olympic and Paralympic games, he told WE.
But we have a long way to go. Its encouraging to see Mayor Gregor and the City of Vancouver continue to set goals and challenge other communities.
For Hansen, who was confined to a wheelchair at the age of 15 after a car-accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, his continued motivation comes from seeing the progress already made, and envisioning the potential.
Ive seen some unbelievable examples. Michael Harcourt, the former premier of the province of BC he was injured and received best practice treatment and care and hes walking today with much less permanent paralysis than what would have ever happened before the Man In Motion Tour.
May 22nd was the day I concluded my journey 25 years earlier. The difference between then and now I know now this is just the beginning.
The two-hour special event will also feature performances by award-winning Canadian artists, including David Foster, Sarah McLachlan, Jann Arden, The Canadian Tenors, Marianas Trench and Johnny Reid. Tickets went on sale Mar. 27 and are available through Ticketmaster at TicketMaster.ca for $25, $55 and $95.
Information on the Rick Hansen Day of Possibilities can be found by visiting RickHansen.com/possibilities.
