25 years ago, Rick Hansen had a dream – to make the world more accessible and inclusive and to find a cure for paralysis after spinal cord injury. Inspired by a deep-seated belief that anything is possible, Rick’s “big dream” took shape in the form of the Man In Motion World Tour. For 26 months, he and his team wheeled more than 40,000 km through 34 countries, raising awareness of the potential of people with disabilities. Following the Tour, Rick established the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) to continue his quest for an accessible and inclusive society and a cure for spinal cord injury (SCI).

Under Rick’s leadership the Foundation functions as a social innovator, finding collaborative solutions to challenges in the community and the resources necessary to implement those solutions. Rick Hansen has also nurtured a dream of true collaboration across the SCI community. Seven years ago, his dream began to be realized when the SCI Network was established with funding from the federal government (Western Economic Development) invested through the Rick Hansen Foundation. Three initiatives evolved — the SCI Solutions Alliance, the Rick Hansen SCI Registry, and the SCI Translational Research Network, which was funded by a $30 million investment from Health Canada. In April 2008, a decision was made to combine these three entities into a single organization, which is more effectively and efficiently addressing priority needs and generating solutions for people with SCI. The Rick Hansen Institute became incorporated in March, 2009. We received charitable status from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in January, 2010 and now operate as an independent organization.

RHI exists today because of Rick’s leadership and tenacity and his unparalleled ability to achieve “the impossible.” It is his vision that continues to motivate all those working together to reduce the impact of SCI and improve the quality of health of those living with a SCI.

Please join us in the many activities surrounding the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Man in Motion World Tour featured throughout this site and on the Rick Hansen Foundation site.

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