Richard Marvin Hansen

Richard Marvin Hansen, O.C.

Doctor of Civil Law

Rick Hansen, who became paraplegic as a result of a truck accident in 1973, became a Canadian hero during his epic 1985-1987 ?Man in Motion? tour, when he travelled around the world in his wheelchair to raise awareness of the potential of people with disabilities. The $20 million raised by the tour now forms a trust fund which sponsors research into disabilities. Prior to the tour, he won nineteen international wheelchair marathons and was three times World Wheelchair Marathon Champion. He first came to Saint Mary?s in 1982 for the Pan-Am Wheelchair Games and again in 1983 as a member of Canada?s team in the Gold Cup of men?s wheelchair basketball. He visited our campus in 1986, towards the end of the ?Man in Motion? tour, and visited the Atlantic Centre of Support for Disabled Students in 1990. Rick Hansen has a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of British Columbia and a number of honorary doctorates. He is a Companion of the Order of Canada and also the Order of British Columbia, and was made a Freeman of the City of Vancouver in 1987. In 1987, he initiated National Access Awareness Week, and in 1989, was appointed to plan and implement the Disability Resource Centre at UBC. He serves on a number of international bodies dedicated to the integration of people with disabilities and continues to be an inspiring role model for Canadians with and without disabilities.