Rick Hansen draws hundreds to the BMO Centre
Posted Feb 26, 2012 5:50 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It has been 25-years since the “Man in Motion” wheeled 40,000 kilometres through 34 countries.
On Sunday, 7,000 participants joined in to recreate the Canadian portion of the journey in a relay style cross country trek.
Rick Hansen sported a cowboy hat as the paralympian and inspiration to many says he continues to be in awe by the advances in his life long vision to find a cure to spinal cord injuries.
“All you have to do is look around and you see people with disabilities starting to engage in society. They are in schools, they are media journalist, they are business leaders, teachers, community leaders and you see that and you say ‘Oh my God’ this is no longer just a dream but it’s a reality,” says Hansen.
Each relay recognizes local “difference makers” and Mayor Naheed Nenshi was honoured for his positive impact on the Calgary community with a Rick Hansen medal.
“There are Calgarians with disabilities who have a lot to offer and we as a community should make sure that we are removing all barriers possible so these folks can live the best possible life in the best possible place,” says Nenshi.
The nine month relay kicked off in Newfoundland and will conclude in Vancouver on May 22nd.
