Rick Hansen’s Post

View profile for Rick Hansen, graphic

Founder at Rick Hansen Foundation

Today, I’m reflecting back on how I spent Canada Day in Williams Lake last year. It was a joy to be invited to be the honorary parade marshall of my hometown’s Canada Day parade. Canada has come a long way in the last 50 years since my accident that led to my spinal cord injury. I’m proud that we live in a country where a First Nation’s Chief, Willie Sellars, a South Asian Mayor, Surinderpal Rathor, and me, a person with a disability can walk side by side in leading the parade. It’s an important symbol that reflects how representation has evolved over the years. I’m also grateful to have been joined by numerous difference makers in this journey – and their presence was reflected in the parade. I feel fortunate to live in Canada, where everyday, we have a chance to work together to make it even better. Together, we can build the Canada that we want, a healthy, accessible and inclusive country where we contribute to and learn from a global society. Happy Canada Day! #CanadaDay #everyoneverywhere #HappyCanadaDay #inclusion #accessibility

  • Mayor Rathor, Chief Willie Sellars and Rick Hansen have their arms around each other at the Canada Day Parade. In the background are onlookers.
Jim Tanis

Cabinet Maker at Purdy Cabinets & Design

2w

Rick, thanks for the inspiration. Williams Lake is home, I grew up in the Chilcotin and ran off to college in the late 70's, later settling back in WL. In early 80s, I ran off again to get married and Jamie and I (as newlyweds) later moved back to Williams Lake. We had tried to follow your "Man in Motion" tour from our home in Oregon where we went to college (and from where I had also tried to track Terry Fox's amazing run) but the stateside coverage was very patchy - nearly non-existent. We had to rely almost completely on second hand news from home. Shortly after we arrived in the Puddle "you arrived", wheeling down Oliver Street on the last stretch of your epic journey. Jamie was new to WL and was blown away by the welcome you received from the hometown crowd. We have both been strongly influenced by your amazing accomplishments and the legacy that you have helped create. I watched you roll down Oliver street again last year and got to tell my grandchildren, 4 and 7, about your "Man in Motion" tour. Your picture above with Surinderpal and Willie, both of whom I know and consider friends, represents a different, better community than I knew in the 70's and 80's. You are responsible in part for that. Thank you!

Alexandra T. Greenhill, MD

Inspiring Thought Leader | Physician CEO Innovator | Author and Speaker | TEDx | Focused on 10x impact | "AI in Clinical Medicine" book (published by Wiley)

3w

What a heartwarming reflection! It's truly inspiring to see how far we've come in terms of inclusion and representation. Your story and the diverse leadership in the parade are powerful reminders of the progress we've made and the work we still need to do. Thank you for sharing this uplifting message. Happy Canada Day! 🌟🍁 #Inspiration #Progress #Unity

Kelsey S.

Student at Capilano University and Graduate Member of CAN-STEP.

3w

Happy Canada Day.

Kelsey S.

Student at Capilano University and Graduate Member of CAN-STEP.

3w

Happy canada day.

Alfred R.

Accessability Consultant | Senior Home Safety Specialist by Age Safe Canada | Neil Squire Society Makers Make Change Volunteer 3D Printer Canada | EVAC+CHAIR Representative B.C., Canada

3w

All the best!

Kelsey S.

Student at Capilano University and Graduate Member of CAN-STEP.

3w

Keep going!

See more comments

To view or add a comment, sign in

Explore topics