What Canadian wheelchair traveled around the world to raise money for research of spinal cord? Rick Hansen is the Canadian wheelchair athlete toured around the world to raise funds for research and awareness of spinal cord.
At the age of 16 years, Rick has suffered an injury to the spinal cord and never walk again. He was paralyzed from the waist down. After seven months, Rick returned from rehabilitation in Vancouver. Slowly, he learned how to cope with his new life, and with encouragement from his coach volleyball, has remained involved in sports. He discovered wheelchair basketball and other sports; set new goals for his life, and began to make new dreams.
He was recruited by the coach and mentor, Stan Stronge Team Vancouver Ski wheelchair basketball. In 1976, Rick enrolled at the University of British Columbia, and was the first person with a disability to get a degree in physical education.
Between 1979 and 1984, Rick turned his attention to the track, winning nineteen international wheelchair marathons, the world title four times and nine gold medals at the Pan American Games 1982. He won a gold medal and a silver at the Paralympic Summer Games in 1984 in Stoke Mandeville, and a gold, silver and bronze at the1980 Summer Paralympic Games in Arnhem, Holland. He also competed for Canada at the 1984 Olympics to follow, as a demonstration sport and was the first person to break the time to two hours in a wheelchair marathon.
On March 21, 1985, he left for a trip that makes history. The trip was called "The Man In Motion World Tour." His goal was to raise funds for research on spinal cord injury and to make communities more accessible and inclusive. Each day, Rick completed the equivalent of three marathons - across all types of terrain in all kinds of weather. The journey took the tour through 34 countries.
In August 1986, Rick and the team returned to Canadian soil, Cape Spear, Newfoundland, ready to begin the last leg of the trip back to Vancouver, and their final challenge: crossing the prairies in the middle of winter.
On May 22, 1987, thousands of people lined the streets to welcome Rick and home team. The Tour raised $ 26 million for spinal cord injury research, rehabilitation and sports!
[Another point of interest: St. Elmos Fire (Man in Motion ") is best known as the theme of the similarly titled 1985 film" St. Elmos Fire, "but it was originally written for Rick Hansen, the wheelchair bound Canadian athlete who travels the world to raise funds for research and awareness increasespinal spinal. Performed by John Parr and adapted for film, "St. Elmos Fire" became an instant success, receiving a Grammy nomination.]
For more information on the Rick Hansen Foundation, please see:
http://www.rickhansen.com/index.php?opti ...
For cureguyluvinit2003 and weak who voted for your answer:
Christopher D'Olier Reeve was born in New York City, New York, USA, September 25, 1952. On May 27, 1995, he was paralyzed in an accident during the bottom portion of eventing competition. It was not a CANADIAN! Flag
Christopher Reeve for ........
Also of interest, four men are currently "wheel" across Canada with the use of hand cycles to raise awareness and generate donations for research. They believe that donates 30 cents for every Canadian citizen "breakthrough" research that will allow them to walk again.
Posted on March 1, 2010.
