Twenty-five years ago Rick Hansen made history when he completed his Man In Motion World Tour after propelling his wheelchair for 792 days and 40,000 kilometres through 34 countries and 4 continents. 126 flat tires did not stop him from covering the circumference of the earth. Neither did his spinal cord injury (SCI). Since then, his foundation has raised more than $250 million, money used to accelerate progress towards a cure for SCI and a more accessible and inclusive world.
On Wednesday, November 2, the 25th Anniversary Rick Hansen Relay, came through Bowmanville. Thirteen persons, each doing a 250 metre section of the tour from the Zoo to the Recreation Complex, were given the experience of wearing the heavy sterling silver medal that commemorates the world tour. It weighs 400 grams and bears the logo “Many In Motion”.
Two of the thirteen Clarington Region medal bearers are from Hope Fellowship Church. They are two of the 7,000 “Difference Makers” that are now carrying Rick Hansen’s cause 12,000 kilometres from Cape Spear, Newfoundland to Vancouver B.C.
Nathan, 11, described his opportunity to participate in the relay as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” that made him “really nervous.” He ended up feeling very good about the whole experience as he was cheered on not only by spectators but also his family.
As each person passed the medal to the next, all wearing yellow jackets and navy blue track pants and toques, the group grew until all thirteen medal bearers were running together. Also in that group was Joan, a special education teacher who works with young students with disabilities. “I took it as a privilege and a real honour to be part of it,” she said. When she passed the medal to the next runner, a 13 year old girl waiting for a double lung transplant, the two windmilled their arms and did an impromptu starburst, followed by a chest bump. In their orientation session Nathan and Joan received their tracksuits and were told that everyone can be a difference maker. “There are ‘Big D’ difference makers who find cures and invent things,” the speaker said. “But we can all be ‘small d’ difference makers by recycling garbage, helping someone or just putting a smile on someone’s face.”
The Royal Canadian Mint also made 7000 copies of the main medal for the relay participants. Joan decided to give her medal to her lifelong friend Elizabeth, who was disabled by a pickup truck in Kingston in 2005 while training for the Sea to Sea Bicycle Tour. “She’s my hero when it comes to paraplegic and spinal cord injuries,” Joan explained.
On Wednesday, November 2, the 25th Anniversary Rick Hansen Relay, came through Bowmanville. Thirteen persons, each doing a 250 metre section of the tour from the Zoo to the Recreation Complex, were given the experience of wearing the heavy sterling silver medal that commemorates the world tour. It weighs 400 grams and bears the logo “Many In Motion”.
Two of the thirteen Clarington Region medal bearers are from Hope Fellowship Church. They are two of the 7,000 “Difference Makers” that are now carrying Rick Hansen’s cause 12,000 kilometres from Cape Spear, Newfoundland to Vancouver B.C.
Nathan, 11, described his opportunity to participate in the relay as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” that made him “really nervous.” He ended up feeling very good about the whole experience as he was cheered on not only by spectators but also his family.
As each person passed the medal to the next, all wearing yellow jackets and navy blue track pants and toques, the group grew until all thirteen medal bearers were running together. Also in that group was Joan, a special education teacher who works with young students with disabilities. “I took it as a privilege and a real honour to be part of it,” she said. When she passed the medal to the next runner, a 13 year old girl waiting for a double lung transplant, the two windmilled their arms and did an impromptu starburst, followed by a chest bump. In their orientation session Nathan and Joan received their tracksuits and were told that everyone can be a difference maker. “There are ‘Big D’ difference makers who find cures and invent things,” the speaker said. “But we can all be ‘small d’ difference makers by recycling garbage, helping someone or just putting a smile on someone’s face.”
The Royal Canadian Mint also made 7000 copies of the main medal for the relay participants. Joan decided to give her medal to her lifelong friend Elizabeth, who was disabled by a pickup truck in Kingston in 2005 while training for the Sea to Sea Bicycle Tour. “She’s my hero when it comes to paraplegic and spinal cord injuries,” Joan explained.
Nathan is probably keeping his prized memento. But his personal hero is his own Dad, Rob, whose below the knee amputation as a result of a congenital birth defect did not prevent him from becoming an elite athlete who competed for Canada in the 100, 200 and 400 metre dashes and running long jump in three Paralympic Games -Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney -and four world championships. Two of his Canadian records still stand.
With such a parental legacy, it is no wonder that Nathan was inspired to apply to Rick Hansen’s 25th anniversary relay across Canada. Speaking about Rick, Nathan said, “Imagine, he went all the way across the world with just his arms. This shows me that nothing can hold you back.”
The apostle Paul said that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. That includes being a difference maker in our community like Nathan and Joan.
- Pastor Peter
With such a parental legacy, it is no wonder that Nathan was inspired to apply to Rick Hansen’s 25th anniversary relay across Canada. Speaking about Rick, Nathan said, “Imagine, he went all the way across the world with just his arms. This shows me that nothing can hold you back.”
The apostle Paul said that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. That includes being a difference maker in our community like Nathan and Joan.
- Pastor Peter
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