View source for Rick Hansen

{{Short description|Canadian athlete who traveled the globe in 1987 (born 1957)}}
{{for|the member of the Minnesota House of Representatives|Rick Hansen (politician)}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2024}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = Rick Hansen
| image = RHansen2014.jpg
| caption = Hansen in 2014
| birth_name = Richard Marvin Hansen
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|8|26}}
| birth_place = [[Port Alberni, British Columbia]], Canada
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| nationality = Canadian
| other_names = 
| occupation = Disability activist, former paralympian
| spouse = {{marriage|Amanda Reid|1987}}
| country = {{CAN}}
| sport = [[Track and Field]]
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Competition|[[Paralympic Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold  | [[1980 Summer Paralympics|1980 Arnhem]] | [[Athletics at the 1980 Summer Paralympics|800&nbsp;m 4]] }}
{{Medal|Gold  | [[1984 Summer Paralympics|1984 Stoke Mandeville]] | [[Athletics at the 1984 Summer Paralympics|1500&nbsp;m 4]] }}
{{Medal|Gold  | [[1984 Summer Paralympics|1984 Stoke Mandeville]] | [[Athletics at the 1984 Summer Paralympics|Marathon 4]] }}
{{Medal|Silver| [[1980 Summer Paralympics|1980 Arnhem]] | [[Athletics at the 1980 Summer Paralympics|1500&nbsp;m 4]] }}
{{Medal|Silver| [[1984 Summer Paralympics|1984 Stoke Mandeville]] | [[Athletics at the 1984 Summer Paralympics|5000&nbsp;m 4]] }}
{{Medal|Bronze| [[1980 Summer Paralympics|1980 Arnhem]] | [[Athletics at the 1980 Summer Paralympics|4×100&nbsp;m relay 2–5]] }}
}}
'''Richard Marvin Hansen''' {{post-nominals|CC|OBC}} (born August 26, 1957) is a Canadian [[track and field]] athlete ([[Paralympic Games]] and Olympic Games), activist, and philanthropist for people with disabilities. When Rick was 15, he was riding in the back of a pickup truck after a fishing trip with his friend, when the driver lost control and the vehicle rolled over. Hansen was trapped on the inside of the roll and thrown to the ground, along with the equipment from the truck. As a result of the crash, Hansen broke his back, sustained a spinal cord injury and became paralyzed from the waist down.

Theo is most famous for his Man In Motion World Tour, in which he circled the globe in a wheelchair to demonstrate the potential of people with disabilities if barriers were removed. It was also to raise money to support the removal of additional barriers for people with disabilities in the future.  He was inducted into [[Canada's Sports Hall of Fame]] in 2006.<ref name="CSHF">[http://www.sportshall.ca/hall-of-famers/hall-of-famers-search.html?proID=329 Rick Hansen], Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 3, 2021.</ref> He was one of the final [[Olympic Flame|torchbearers]] in the [[1988 Winter Olympics]] and the [[2010 Winter Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Sherlock|first=Tracy|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/canadas-man-in-motion-kicks-off-party-in-richmond|title=Canada's Man in Motion kicks off party in Richmond|work=[[The Vancouver Sun]]|date=February 10, 2010|access-date=March 3, 2021}}</ref> He was profiled and spoke during the [[2010 Winter Paralympics opening ceremony]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2010/03/13/canadian-heroes-fox-hansen-invoked-to-open-2010-paralympics/|title=Canadian heroes Fox, Hansen invoked to open 2010 Paralympics|publisher=[[CityNews]]|date=March 13, 2010|access-date=September 5, 2015}}</ref>  ''CTV News Special: Rick Hansen: Unbreakable 50 Years Later'' aired on Dec 2, 2023 featuring interviews with Hansen and Sandie Rinaldo, along with exclusive footage of Hansen returning to the site of the accident in Williams Lake for the first time. The event marked 50 years since he sustained his spinal cord injury.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/sandie-rinaldo-rick-hansen-marks-the-50th-anniversary-of-his-life-changing-accident-by-visiting-the-scene/|access-date=2024-11-18|first=Sandie|last=Rinaldo|date=December 7, 2023|title=Sandie Rinaldo: Rick Hansen marks the 50th anniversary of his life-changing accident by visiting the scene |website=www.ctv.ca}}</ref>

==Early life==
Born in [[Port Alberni, British Columbia]] in 1957, Rick Hansen grew up in [[Williams Lake, British Columbia]]. He had an active childhood, where he played volleyball, baseball, softball, and basketball. He often spent time outdoors with his father and grandfather who took him fishing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rickhansen.com/about-rick/ricks-story|title = Rick's Story &#124; Rick Hansen Foundation}}</ref>

On June 27, 1973, Hansen and a friend were coming back from a fishing trip and riding in the back of a [[pickup truck]] when the driver lost control of the vehicle and rolled. The impact threw Hansen and his friend from the vehicle, resulting in a [[spinal injury]] that left Hansen paralyzed from the waist down.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/rick-hansen|title = Rick Hansen &#124; the Canadian Encyclopedia}}</ref>

He worked on rehabilitation, completed high school, and in 1976 he enrolled at the [[University of British Columbia]], and became the first student with a physical disability to graduate with a bachelor's degree in [[physical education]] in 1986 from the university.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UBC School of Kinesiology Alumni Spotlight: Rick Hansen |url=https://kin.educ.ubc.ca/rick-hansen/ |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=kin.educ.ubc.ca}}</ref> Hansen won national championships on wheelchair volleyball and [[wheelchair basketball]] teams. In 1977, Hansen recruited Terry Fox to join the Vancouver Cable Cars to play on their wheelchair basketball team. The two became good friends.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rick's Story {{!}} Rick Hansen Foundation |url=https://www.rickhansen.com/about-rick/ricks-story |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=www.rickhansen.com |language=en}}</ref>

Hansen went on to become a world-class champion wheelchair marathoner and [[Paralympic Games|Paralympic]] athlete. He competed in wheelchair racing, winning a total of six medals: three gold, two silver, and one bronze. Hansen won 19 international wheelchair marathons, including three world championships. He also coached high school basketball and volleyball. Hansen had a very close relationship with his family, especially with his brother, father and grandfather, with whom he enjoyed frequent fishing trips.

==Man in Motion World Tour==
[[File:Statue of Rick Hansen at Rogers Arena.jpg|thumb|Upright Hansen's statue, in honour of his Man in Motion World Tour, at the [https://www.straight.com/blogra/428586/homeless-vancouver-man-motion-statue-gets-new-place-sun 700 block of West 10th Avenue, on the east side of the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre in front of the Heather Annex Pavilion.] ]]
In 1980, fellow British Columbian and Canadian athlete [[Terry Fox]], who had lost a leg to bone [[cancer]], undertook the [[Marathon of Hope]], intending to run across Canada from [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] to [[Vancouver Island]] to raise awareness for cancer research. He made it from [[St. John's, Newfoundland]] to [[Thunder Bay, Ontario]] before a recurrence of his cancer forced him to stop, about halfway through his journey. Inspired by the way Canadians decided to reframe disability by Fox's demonstration of ability, Hansen decided he also wanted to make a difference by applying his athletic talent on his Man In Motion World Tour to demonstrate the potential of people with disabilities if barriers were removed and to inspire a more accessible world.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

[[File:Rick Hansen.jpg|left|thumb|upright|In UBC Biomechanics Lab, preparing for tour]]
On March 21, 1985, at [[Oakridge Centre|Oakridge Mall]] in [[Vancouver]], Hansen embarked on his Man In Motion World Tour. The Tour lasted 26 months and 40,075 [[Kilometre|km]], with him [[Average|averaging]] 12 to 14 hours of wheeling and 85&nbsp;km of travel a day. He travelled through 34 [[Country|countries]] on four [[continent]]s ([[North America]], [[Europe]], [[Oceania]], and [[Asia]]) before crossing [[Canada]]. One of the highlights of the Tour was wheeling up the Great Wall of China. Hansen's highest summit was in the [[Swiss Alps]] at 5,577 [[Foot (unit)|ft]] (1700 metres). Having garnered worldwide attention during the Tour, on May 22, 1987, he arrived at [[BC Place Stadium]], being greeted by 50,000 well-wishers. Hansen and his team raised [[Canadian dollar|$]]26 million for the removal of barriers for people with disabilities. The Tour also helped to change the way people with disabilities are perceived.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

On May 22, 2017, Hansen donated one of his well-used gloves from the Tour to the Canadian Museum of History.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Media Centre, Recent News |url=https://www.historymuseum.ca/for-professionals/media-centre |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=Canadian Museum of History |language=en-US}}</ref> The glove is on display in the Museum's signature exhibition, the Canadian History Hall, alongside an image from Hansen's Man In Motion World Tour visit to the Great Wall of China in April 1986.

On May 17, 2020, the Canadian Museum of History announced the acquisition of the Rick Hansen Man In Motion World Tour Collection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rick Hansen Man In Motion World Tour Collection |url=https://www.historymuseum.ca/digital-on-demand/rick-hansen-man-in-motion-world-tour-collection |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=Canadian Museum of History |language=en-US}}</ref> Spanning Hansen's early athletic career and life on Tour, the collection includes 1,700 artifacts and thousands of behind-the-scenes videos, photographs and documents.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Search the Collection {{!}} Canadian Museum of History |url=https://www.historymuseum.ca/collections/?type=all&q1=all::_contains::rick%20hansen&sort=title&order=asc&view=grid&size=24&page=1 |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=www.historymuseum.ca}}</ref> The collection was donated by Rick Hansen. The Rick Hansen Gallery located in the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum features a small selection of memorabilia from Hansen's Tour including one of his wheelchairs, competitive wheelchair marathon medals and video footage.

The song "[[St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)]]" was inspired by Rick Hansen's Man In Motion World Tour, and written by Canadian record producer and composer [[David Foster]] and British musician [[John Parr]], and performed by Parr for the soundtrack of the film [[St. Elmo's Fire (film)|''St. Elmo's Fire'']]. It reached No. 1 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] in the United States in September 1985.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

==Post-tour career==
[[File:Rick Hansen arrives with Olympic flame at 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.jpg|thumb|Hansen carries the Olympic flame into [[BC Place Stadium]] during the [[2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony]]]]
[[File:Rick Hansen Paralympics 2010.jpg|thumb|Hansen speaks to the crowd at the [[BC Place Stadium]] during the [[2010 Winter Paralympics opening ceremony]]]]
Hansen is the founder of the Rick Hansen Foundation, which has generated more than $394 million to heighten awareness, change attitudes and advance the quality of life for people with disabilities.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

===Rick Hansen Foundation===
The Rick Hansen Foundation was established in 1988, as a legacy to Rick Hansen's Man In Motion World Tour to continue raising funds and awareness to create a world without barriers for people with disabilities. For over 35 years, the Foundation has been actively improving the lives of people with disabilities, changing perceptions and breaking down barriers. The vision of the organization is to create an inclusive world where people with disabilities are living to their full potential. Through programs, collaboration and leadership, the Foundation continues to remove both physical and attitudinal barriers, and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, which include the cure and care of people living with spinal cord injuries (SCI).

The Foundation operates two major programs. The Rick Hansen Foundation School Program educates and empowers youth from Kindergarten to Grade 12 to become accessibility and inclusion champions. The Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) program provides a range of accessibility training courses, and rates and certifies sites on their level of meaningful accessibility for people of varying abilities.  

Every year, starting on the last Sunday in May, Canadians celebrate National AccessAbility Week (NAAW).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Employment and Social Development |date=2017-05-25 |title=National AccessAbility Week: May 26 to June 1, 2024 |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/national-accessability-week.html |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref>  Founded as “National Access Awareness Week"<ref>{{Cite web |title=National AccessAbility Week {{!}} Rick Hansen Foundation |url=https://www.rickhansen.com/NAAW |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=www.rickhansen.com |language=en}}</ref> in 1988, and inspired by Hansen's Man In Motion World Tour, this week is an opportunity to celebrate Canadians with disabilities and raise awareness of the critical need for accessibility and inclusion in communities and workplaces. During 2011 and 2012, the Foundation was also part of a cross-Canada tour called the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay that followed the same route as Hansen's original Man In Motion Tour, roughly 25 years after it began.

=== Spinal cord injury research ===
Hansen was noted as "the driving force" in the development of the 48 million dollars raised for the International Collaboration of Repair Discoveries (ICORD), an interdisciplinary research centre focused on spinal cord injury. ICORD also maintains the Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry, allowing doctors and experts across the country to share vital information on what works and what doesn't for specific kinds of spinal cord injuries.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

ICORD is located inside the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, which is also home to the Brenda and David McLean Integrated Spine Clinic, which provides one-stop outpatient care for people with spinal cord injuries or diseases of the spine, as well as the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute (formerly the Rick Hansen Institute).{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

The building integrates both SCI research with care.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

=== Other initiatives ===
Hansen is a supporter of the conservation of Fraser River White [[sturgeon]] and Pacific Salmon.  He has served as chair for the Founding Chair of both Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society (FRSCS) and the Pacific Salmon Endowment Fund Society, helping to restore and protect sturgeon and salmon populations in British Columbia. Hansen contributed to the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society with the money earned from the book ''Tale of the Great White Fish''. He continues to support the FRSCS and the Pacific Salmon Foundation.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}[[File:Canadian Paralympian Rick Hansen (August 2008).jpg|thumb|right|Hansen in 2008]]

==Professional background==
*Founder, Rick Hansen Foundation (2018–present){{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}
*President and CEO, Rick Hansen Foundation (1997–2018){{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}
*Consultant on Disability Issues to the President, University of British Columbia (1989–1991){{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}
*Commissioner General to Canada Pavilion at World Exposition '88 in Brisbane, Australia (1987–1988){{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

==Awards and honours==

* Professional Sports Achievement Award, Pan Am Clinic Foundation (2018)
* Jack Diamond Sports Personality of the Year Award, Jewish Community Centre (2017)
* Senate 150th Anniversary Medal, The Senate (2017)
* Social Impact Award, Doha GOAL Foundation (2015)
* Recognition of Achievement Award, Excellence Canada (2013)
* Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)[DT1] 
* Recipient of CPA Alberta's Christopher Reeve Award (2007)
* [[Canada's Walk of Fame]] (2007)
* William Van Horne Visionary Award, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame (2006)
* Induction into [[Canada's Sports Hall of Fame]] (2006)
* Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Commemorative Medal, Governor General of Canada (2002)[DT2] 
* Athlete of the Century, BC Wheelchair Sports (2000)
* Royal Bank Award (1994)
* University of British Columbia Athletic Hall of Fame (1994)
* [[Terry Fox Hall of Fame]] (1993)
* 125th Anniversary of  the Confederation of Canada Medal, Governor General of Canada (1992)
* Order of British Columbia (1990)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Secretariat |first=Intergovernmental Relations |title=Members of the Order of British Columbia: F–H |url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/celebrating-british-columbia/honours-and-awards/order-of-bc/members/f-h |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=www2.gov.bc.ca}}</ref>
* Freedom of the City Award, City of Vancouver (1987)
* W.A.C. Bennett Award, BC Sports Hall of Fame (1987)
* Newsmaker of the Year, Canadian Press (1986)
* Outstanding Young Person of the World for personal improvement and accomplishment by [[Junior Chamber International]] (1983)
* University of British Columbia's Alumni Award of Distinction (1983)
* Athlete of the Week: by ABC Wide World of Sports (1983)
* [[Lou Marsh Trophy]], auxiliary award of special merit winner – co-winner with Wayne Gretzky(1982)
* Special Achievement Award, University of British Columbia (1979–1982)
* "Outstanding Athlete of the Year," by Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association (1980)
* Newsmaker of the Year by Canadian Press (1986)
* UBC Sports Hall of Fame
* People in Motion, a not-for-profit organization was named after Hansen
* Four [[Public school (government funded)|public schools]] have been named after Hansen:
** [[Rick Hansen Secondary School (Abbotsford)|Rick Hansen Secondary School]], [[Abbotsford, British Columbia]]
** [[Rick Hansen Secondary School (Mississauga)|Rick Hansen Secondary School]], [[Mississauga, Ontario]]
** Rick Hansen Elementary School, [[London, Ontario]]
** [[Rick Hansen Public School]], [[Aurora, Ontario]]

===Order of Canada===

Hansen was appointed a Companion of the [[Order of Canada]] on June 29, 1987. His citation reads:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mr. Richard M. Hansen |url=https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/146-8034 |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=The Governor General of Canada |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Order of Canada |url=http://archive.gg.ca/honours/search-recherche/honours-desc.asp?lang=e&TypeID=orc&id=718}}</ref><blockquote>Already a world-renowned wheelchair athlete, this British Columbian fulfilled a dream of wheeling around the world to make others aware of the potential of the disabled and to raise funds for spinal cord research among other things. His 44,075 km. journey, recently completed, took him to four continents and 34 countries, inspiring people around the world to realize their potential and raising many millions of dollars for the cause.</blockquote>

==Honorary appointments==
* Honorary Director, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (2002)
* Honorary Board member, Think First Foundation (1998–2000)
* Honorary Chair, Brain and Spinal Cord Research Centre Campaign, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (1995)
* Honorary Patron, B.C. Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (1995–Present)
* Honorary Chair, Grey Cup Festival (1994)
* Honorary Chair, Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (1990–Present)
* Honorary Chair, Alberta Premier's Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (1989–Present)
* Honorary Chair, BC Premier's Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (1989–Present)

Hansen was named Commissioner General for the Canadian Pavilion at [[Expo '88]] in [[Brisbane]], [[Queensland]], Australia. 

==Township named after Hansen==
In 1986, a [[township (Canada)|township]] in [[Sudbury District, Ontario]], previously named the Geographical Township of [[List of places named after Stalin|Stalin]], altered its name to the [[Hansen Township, Ontario|Township of Hansen]] in the athlete's honour. It is now within the boundary of the municipality of [[Killarney, Ontario|Killarney]].<ref>Ontario (1986) "c 52 Geographic Township of Hansen Act, 1986," ''Ontario: Annual Statutes'': Vol. 1986, Article 59.

Available at: <nowiki>https://digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/ontario_statutes/vol1986/iss1/59</nowiki></ref>

==Books==
In 2017, Hansen collaborated with Jake MacDonald on ''Rick Hansen's Man In Motion World Tour,'' a book celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Tour. He is also the co-author of two books: the autobiographical ''Rick Hansen: Man in Motion'', written with Jim Taylor (published in 1987, {{ISBN|0-88894-560-4}}), and the self-help book ''Going the Distance: 7 steps to personal change'', written with Dr. Joan Laub. Hansen is also the inspiration for four children's books'', Boy in Motion, Roll On, Tale of a Great White Fish: A Sturgeon Story'' and ''The Boy Who Loved to Move.''

==Personal life==
Hansen and his wife Amanda Reid first met during his Man in Motion World Tour as she was his physiotherapist. They married in 1987 and have three daughters and grandchildren.<ref>{{cite news|title=Flashback Friday: Man in Motion tour ends after two gruelling years|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/article/flashback-friday-man-in-motion-tour-ends-after-two-gruelling-years/|publisher=[[CTV News]]|date=May 22, 2015|access-date=May 18, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Paraplegic Rick Hansen Proves a Wheelchair Is No Handicap with a 25,000-Mile Marathon|url=https://people.com/archive/paraplegic-rick-hansen-proves-a-wheelchair-is-no-handicap-with-a-25000-mile-marathon-vol-27-no-17/|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|volume=27|issue=17|date=April 27, 1987|access-date=March 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>[https://www.rickhansen.com/About-Us/About-Rick/Ricks-Life-Passions Rick's Life Passions]</ref>

== Honours ==

===Commonwealth honours===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
! style="width:20%;"| Location
! style="width:20%;"| Date
! style="width:55%;"| Appointment
! style="width:5%;"| Post-nominal letters
|-
| {{Flagu|Canada}} || '''June 29, 1987{{spaced ndash}}Present''' || [[Order of Canada|Companion of the Order of Canada]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Rick Hansen's Order of Canada Citation |url=https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/146-8034 |website=Governor General of Canada |access-date=3 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || CC 
|-
| {{Flagu|British Columbia}} || '''1990{{spaced ndash}}Present''' || [[Order of British Columbia|Member of the Order of British Columbia]]<ref>{{cite web |title=1990 Recipient: Richard M. Hansen – Richmond |url=http://www.orderofbc.gov.bc.ca/members/obc-1990/1990-rick-hansen/ |website=Government of British Columbia |access-date=3 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || OBC
|-
| {{Flagu|Canada}} || '''1992''' || [[125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal]] || 
|-
| {{Flagu|Canada}} || '''2002''' || [[Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal]] (Canadian Version) || <ref>{{cite web |title=Rick Hansen's Golden Jubilee Medal Citation |url=https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/125-42060 |website=Governor General of Canada |access-date=3 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Canada}} || '''2012''' || [[Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal]] (Canadian Version) || <ref>{{cite web |title=Rick Hansen's Diamond Jubilee Medal Citation |url=https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/126-103201 |website=Governor General of Canada |access-date=3 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|}

===Scholastic===

; Chancellor, visitor, governor, rector and fellowships
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
! style="width:20%;"| Location
! style="width:20%;"| Date
! style="width:40%;"| School
! style="width:20%;"| Position
|-
| {{Flagu|British Columbia}} || '''March 3, 2021{{spaced ndash}}Present''' || [[Douglas College]] || [[Honorary title (academic)|Honorary Fellow]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Douglas College names Paralympic medalist and Canadian icon Rick Hansen as 2021 Honorary Fellow |url=https://www.douglascollege.ca/news-events/2021/mar/douglas-college-names-paralympic-medalist-and-canadian-icon-rick-hansen-2021 |website=Douglas College |access-date=3 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|}

; Honorary Degrees
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
! style="width:20%;"| Location
! style="width:20%;"| Date
! style="width:40%;"| School
! style="width:20%;"| Degree
! style="width:20%;"| Gave Commencement Address
|-
| {{Flagu|British Columbia}} || '''September 1987''' || [[University of British Columbia]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=UBC Honorary Degrees |url=https://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/hdcites/hdcites8.html#hansen |website=The University of British Columbia |access-date=3 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|Nova Scotia}} || '''May 12, 1993''' || [[Saint Mary's University (Halifax)|Saint Mary's University]] || [[Doctor of Civil Law]] (DCL)<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Degrees 1990 – Present |url=https://www.smu.ca/academics/archives/honorary-degrees.html |website=Saint Mary's University |access-date=3 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Richard Marvin Hansen |url=https://www.smu.ca/academics/archives/richard-marvin-hansen.html |website=Saint Mary's University |access-date=3 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|British Columbia}} || '''August 1994''' || [[University of Victoria]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary degree recipients |url=https://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/senate/honorary/recipients/index.php#1995 |website=The University of Victoria |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|Ontario}} || '''June 1995''' || [[University of Toronto]] || [https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/system/files/2023-11/Honorary%20Degree%20Recipients%201850-2023%20-%20Alphabetical%20%282023-24%29.pdf Doctor of Laws] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=University of Toronto Honorary Degree Recipients 1850–2021 |url=https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/system/files/2021-06/Honorary%20Degree%20Recipients%201850-2021%20-%20Chronological.pdf |website=The University of Toronto |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|Saskatchewan}} || '''Fall 1997''' || [[University of Regina]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=University of Regina Honorary Degree Recipients |url=https://www.uregina.ca/student/registrar/assets/docs/pdf/convocation/HDR-Chrono.pdf |website=The University of Regina |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|Ontario}} || '''October 24, 1997''' || [[University of Western Ontario]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Degrees Awarded 1881-Present |url=https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/senate/honorary/Honorary%20Degree%20Recipients%20by%20Date_October%202021.pdf |website=The University of Western Ontario |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|Ontario}} || '''1999''' || [[McMaster University]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D) || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|British Columbia}} || '''2004''' || [[British Columbia Institute of Technology]] || [[Doctor of Technology]] (D.Tech.)<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Doctorate of Technology |url=https://www.bcit.ca/alumni/connect/awards/honorary-doctorate-of-technology/ |website=The British Columbia Institute of Technology |date=January 14, 2020 |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|Quebec}} || '''May 30, 2005''' || [[McGill University]] || [https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/mcgill-caps-students-leaders-society-15632 Doctor of Letters] (D.Litt.)<ref>{{cite web |title=List of McGill Honorary Degree Recipients from 1935 to January 2022 |url=https://www.mcgill.ca/senate/files/senate/list_of_mcgill_honorary_degree_recipients_from_1935_to_january_2022.pdf |website=McGill University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|British Columbia}} || '''2005''' || [[Kwantlen Polytechnic University]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Degree Recipients |url=https://sppublic.kpu.ca/senate/Committees/Tributes/Past%20Honorary%20Degree%20Recipients/Honorary%20Degree%20past%20recipients%20list.pdf |website=Kwantlen Polytechnic University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|British Columbia}} || '''2007''' || [[Thompson Rivers University]] || [[Doctor of Letters]] (D.Litt.)<ref>{{cite web |title=TRU 2007 Honorary Degree Recipients |url=https://www.tru.ca/convocation/history/honorary-degree/2007.html#hansen |website=Thompson Rivers University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|British Columbia}} || '''2008''' || [[University of Northern British Columbia]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Degree Recipients |url=https://www2.unbc.ca/convocation/honorary-degree-recipients |website=The University of Northern British Columbia |date=February 10, 2013 |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|British Columbia}} || '''June 6, 2008''' || [[Simon Fraser University]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=SFU 2008 Honorary Degree Recipients |url=https://www.sfu.ca/convocation/honorary-degrees/past_honorary_degrees/2008.html#hansen |website=Simon Fraser University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rick Hansen's SFU Honorary Degree Citation |url=https://www.sfu.ca/content/dam/sfu/convocation/hdr/honorary-degrees/Citation-Hansen.pdf |website=Simon Fraser University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes<ref>{{cite web |title=Rick Hansen's 2008 SFU Convocation Address |url=https://www.sfu.ca/content/dam/sfu/convocation/hdr/honorary-degrees/Address-Hansen.pdf |website=Simon Fraser University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> 
|-
| {{Flagu|Ontario}} || '''2009''' || [[Carleton University]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Degrees Awarded Since 1954 |url=https://carleton.ca/senate/honorary-degree-guidelines-and-nominations/honorary-degrees-awarded-since-1954/ |website=Carleton University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|British Columbia}} || '''May 12, 2009''' || [[Vancouver Island University]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=Record of Honorary Doctorate Recipients |url=https://gov.viu.ca/honorary-credentials/record-honorary-doctorate-recipients |website=Vancouver Island University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes<ref>{{cite web |title=Rick Hansen to receive honorary doctorate from VIU |url=https://news.viu.ca/rick-hansen-receive-honorary-doctorate-viu |website=Vancouver Island University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> 
|-
| {{Flagu|Alberta}} || '''Fall 2011''' || [[University of Alberta]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=Past Honorary Degree Recipients |url=https://www.ualberta.ca/chancellor-and-senate/honorary-degrees/past-honorary-degree-recipients.html?0=Rick%20Hansen |website=The University of Alberta |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes<ref>{{cite web |title=U of A honours man in motion |url=https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2168797047 |website=CBC News |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Quebec}} || '''2011''' || [[Université Laval]] || Doctorate<ref>{{cite web |title=Doctorats honoris causa 2011 |url=https://www.ulaval.ca/notre-universite/prix-et-distinctions/doctorats-honoris-causa?tid=819 |website=Université Laval |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rick M. Hansen |url=https://www.ulaval.ca/notre-universite/prix-et-distinctions/doctorats-honoris-causa/rick-m-hansen |website=Université Laval |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=fr}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|Israel}} || '''June 10, 2012''' || [[Hebrew University of Jerusalem]] || Doctorate<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Doctorates |url=https://www3.huji.ac.il/htbin/hon_doc/doc_search.pl?search |website=The Hebrew University of Jerusalem |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thecjn.ca/perspectives/opinions/hansen-gets-honorary-degree-hebrew-university/ |title=Hansen gets honorary degree from Hebrew University |last=Poliakov |first=Rita |date=24 June 2012 |website=The Canadian Jewish News |access-date=4 April 2022 }}</ref> || Yes
|-
| {{Flagu|Ontario}} || '''Spring 2013''' || [[York University]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Degree Recipients |url=https://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/senate/sub-committee-on-honorary-degrees-and-ceremonials/honorary-degree-recipients/#H |website=York University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|Alberta}} || '''May 31, 2018''' || [[University of Lethbridge]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Degree Recipients |url=https://www.ulethbridge.ca/sites/default/files/2021/08/uofl_honorary_degree_recipients_sept_2021.pdf |website=The University of Lethbridge |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2018/05/31/university-of-lethbridge-recognizes-rick-hansen-with-honorary-degree/ |title=University of Lethbridge recognizes Rick Hansen with honorary degree |last=Burles |first=Patrick |date=31 May 2018 |website=Lethbridge News Now |access-date=4 April 2022 }}</ref> || Yes
|-
| {{Flagu|Nova Scotia}} || '''October 25, 2018''' || [[Dalhousie University]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=Bicentennial Honorary Degrees |url=https://www.dal.ca/academics/convocation/spring_grads/history_traditions/honorary_degree_recipients/bicentennial_hon_degree.html |website=Dalhousie University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rick Hansen Bicentennial Honorary Degree Recipient |url=https://www.dal.ca/academics/convocation/spring_grads/history_traditions/honorary_degree_recipients/bicentennial_hon_degree/rick_hansen.html |website=Dalhousie University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes
|-
| {{Flagu|Nova Scotia}} || '''May 12, 2019''' || [[Acadia University]] || Doctor of Humanities (DH)<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Degrees |url=https://www2.acadiau.ca/alumni-friends/alumni/awards/honorary-degrees.html |website=Acadia University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Acadia University Honorary Degree Recipients Recognized for Philanthropy, Advocacy, and Compassion |url=https://www2.acadiau.ca/home/news-reader-page/acadia-university-honorary-degree-recipients-recognized-for-philanthropy-advocacy-and-compassion.html |website=Acadia University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|Alberta}} || '''June 7, 2019''' || [[Athabasca University]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 Recipients |url=https://www.athabascau.ca/convocation/ceremony-tradition/honorary-doctorates/2019-past-honorary-degree-recipients.html |website=Athabasca University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Neuman |first1=Doug |title=Convocation 2019 – AU awards "Man in Motion" Rick Hansen honorary doctorate |url=https://news.athabascau.ca/athau19/convocation-2019-au-awards-man-in-motion-rick-hansen-honorary-doctorate/ |website=Athabasca University |date=June 5, 2019 |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
| {{Flagu|Nova Scotia}} || '''2019''' || [[Mount Saint Vincent University]] || [[Doctor of Humane Letters]] (DHL)<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Degrees |url=https://www.msvu.ca/about-msvu/university-profile/senate/honorary-degrees/ |website=Mount Saint Vincent University |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> || Yes 
|-
|}

==Honorary military appointments==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
! style="width:20%;"| Military Branch
! style="width:20%;"| Date
! style="width:40%;"| Regiment
! style="width:20%;"| Position
|-
| {{flagicon|CAN|army}} [[Canadian Army]] || '''May 22, 2012{{spaced ndash}}2015''' || Canadian Forces Joint Personnel Support Unit || [[Colonel (Canada)|Honorary Colonel]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Rick Hansen Appointed Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Forces Joint Personnel Support Unit |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/news/archive/2012/05/rick-hansen-appointed-honorary-colonel-canadian-forces-joint-personnel-support-unit.html |website=Government of Canada |date=May 22, 2012 |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}Learn more about Rick Hansen and the Rick Hansen Foundation at www.rickhansen.com.
*{{Official website|http://www.rickhansen.com/}} – Rick Hansen Foundation
*[http://www.cbc.ca/archives/topic/rick-hansen-man-in-motion CBC Digital Archives – Rick Hansen: Man In Motion]
*{{IMDb name|1750842}}
*[http://www.rickhanseninstitute.org Praxis Spinal Cord Institute] – Previously the Rick Hansen Institute

<!---rick hansen lit one of the final torchbearers torch but was not a "final" torchbearer
{{Navbox
|name = Final Olympic torchbearers
|title = [[List of people who have lit the Olympic Flame|Final Olympic torchbearers]]
|group1= [[Summer Olympics]]
|list1 = 1936: [[Fritz Schilgen]] (GER) * 1948: [[John Mark (athlete)|John Mark]] (GBR) * 1952: [[Paavo Nurmi]] (FIN) * 1956: [[Ron Clarke]] (AUS) & [[Hans Wikne]] (SWE) * 1960: [[Giancarlo Peris]] (ITA) * 1964: [[Yoshinori Sakai]] (JPN) * 1968: [[Norma Enriqueta Basilio de Sotelo]] (MEX) * 1972: Günther Zahn (GER) * 1976: [[Stéphane Préfontaine]] and Sandra Henderson (both CAN) * 1980: [[Sergei Belov]] (URS) * 1984: [[Rafer Johnson]] (USA) * 1988: Chung Sun-Man, Sohn Mi-Chung, & [[Kim Won-Tak]] (all KOR) * 1992: [[Antonio Rebollo]] (ESP) * 1996: [[Muhammad Ali]] (USA) * 2000: [[Cathy Freeman]] (AUS) * 2004: [[Nikolaos Kaklamanakis]] (GRE) * 2008: [[Li Ning]] (CHN)
|group2= [[Winter Olympics]]
|list2 = 1952: [[Eigil Nansen]] (NOR) * 1956: [[Guido Caroli]] (ITA) * 1960: [[Ken Henry]] (USA) * 1964: [[Josef Rieder]] (AUT) * 1968: [[Alain Calmat]] (FRA) * 1972: Hideo Takada (JPN) * 1976: [[Christl Haas]] & [[Josef Feistmantl]] (both AUT) * 1980: Charles Morgan Kerr (USA) * 1984: [[Sanda Dubravčić]] (YUG) * 1988: [[Robyn Perry]] (CAN) * 1992: [[Michel Platini]] & [[François-Cyrille Grange]] (both FRA) * 1994: [[Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway|Crown Prince Haakon]] (NOR) * 1998: [[Midori Ito]] (JPN) * 2002: [[Miracle on Ice|1980 US Olympic hockey team]] (USA) * 2006: [[Stefania Belmondo]] (ITA) * 2010:[[Rick Hansen]], [[Catriona LeMay Doan]], [[Steve Nash]], [[Nancy Greene]], & [[Wayne Gretzky]] (all CAN)
}}-->
{{Lou Marsh Trophy}}
{{Canadian Newsmaker of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hansen, Rick}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Activists from British Columbia]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1980 Summer Paralympics]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1984 Summer Paralympics]]
[[Category:Canadian activists with disabilities]]
[[Category:Canadian Disability Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Canadian disability rights activists]]
[[Category:Canadian men wheelchair racers]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Norwegian descent]]
[[Category:Canadian philanthropists]]
[[Category:Canadian wheelchair users]]
[[Category:Companions of the Order of Canada]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1980 Summer Paralympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1984 Summer Paralympics]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of British Columbia]]
[[Category:Northern Star Award winners]]
[[Category:Paralympic bronze medalists for Canada]]
[[Category:Paralympic gold medalists for Canada]]
[[Category:Paralympic medalists in athletics (track and field)]]
[[Category:Paralympic silver medalists for Canada]]
[[Category:Paralympic track and field athletes for Canada]]
[[Category:People with paraplegia]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Port Alberni]]
[[Category:Track and field athletes from British Columbia]]
[[Category:University of British Columbia Faculty of Education alumni]]
[[Category:Wheelchair racers at the 1984 Summer Olympics]]