Unstoppable Spirit: Rick Hansen's Epic Journey of Determination
Discover the inspiring story of Rick Hansen, the first person to circumnavigate the globe in a wheelchair, breaking barriers and changing perceptions about disability worldwide.
Embarking on a journey around the world is one of the most challenging and thrilling adventures imaginable. To circle the globe, covering tens of thousands of kilometers, enduring scorching sun and relentless rain, is a feat few can accomplish.
Historical figures like Ferdinand Magellan completed the first circumnavigation, Jeanne Baré was the pioneering woman to do so, Ivan Fyodorovich Kruzenshtern was Russia's first globetrotter, and Joshua Slocum became the first to sail solo around the world.
Yet, among these trailblazers, one remarkable name stands out: Rick Hansen, the first individual to travel the world in a wheelchair.
Rick Hansen’s foundation developed an innovative app called Planat, enabling users to rate the accessibility of various locations. This tool highlights the ongoing commitment to improving mobility and inclusivity worldwide.
A Passion for Life and Adventure
Born on August 26, 1957, in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, Rick Hansen spent his childhood in the picturesque town of Fort St. John, surrounded by lakes and rivers.
As an active youngster, Rick loved sports—especially volleyball—and fishing. Even then, he dreamed of cycling around the world.
At age 15, a fishing trip with friends took a tragic turn. On June 27, 1973, Rick and his friend Don Alder were involved in a severe accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury, leaving Rick paralyzed from the waist down.
His life changed dramatically, transitioning from school to a rehabilitation center in Vancouver. Despite seven months of intense rehabilitation, Rick never regained the ability to walk. However, he embraced a powerful mindset: no excuses. Returning home, he immediately resumed volleyball training and excelled in table tennis, earning a gold medal at the Pacific Northwest Games for athletes with disabilities.
Sports as a Lifeline
In 1976, Rick enrolled at the University of British Columbia, studying arts—a surprising choice given his athletic background, but physical education programs initially denied him admission.
Rick joined the university’s basketball team, the Vancouver Tramways, and later befriended legendary athlete Terry Fox. Both shared a vision that sports could transform societal views on disability and empower individuals with physical challenges.
Rick participated in the “Rickathon,” a 32-kilometer marathon fundraising event supporting para-athletes. His athletic prowess extended across basketball, volleyball, and more, leading to his transfer to the physical education faculty in 1977. He eventually became the first wheelchair user to earn a degree in physical education.
Throughout his university years, Rick was honored as the Best Disabled Athlete multiple times and won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the 1980 Paralympics in Arnhem, the Netherlands. He set eight world records at the 1982 Pan American Games and won 19 international marathons, including the Boston Marathon. His achievements continued with more Paralympic medals in 1984.
A Man in Motion: Changing the World
Having proven to himself that sports were life, Rick sought to inspire the world. To raise awareness and funds—over $10 million USD—for spinal cord research, he embarked on an unprecedented challenge.
On March 21, 1985, Rick Hansen launched the Man In Motion World Tour. Skeptics called it madness, but Rick’s mission was clear:
“I hope people will treat disabled individuals with respect, not pity, and recognize what they can do rather than what they cannot.”
Over 26 months, Rick covered 24,900 miles (40,074 kilometers) across four continents and 34 countries, averaging 53 miles (85 kilometers) daily. Pushing through physical pain and harsh weather, he journeyed from Vancouver to the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, and back to North America, concluding in Vancouver on May 22, 1987, where thousands celebrated his triumphant return.
Rick Hansen’s global wheelchair journey set a Guinness World Record and demonstrated that people with disabilities are not defined by limitations but by their courage and determination.
The Rick Hansen Foundation
During his world tour, Rick raised $26 million USD, which he dedicated to spinal cord research. He established the Rick Hansen Foundation, now one of Canada’s most influential charitable organizations focused on accessibility and disability awareness.
Rick Hansen has been honored with the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia. A monument commemorating his achievements stands proudly at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena.
Rick continues his advocacy, supporting people with disabilities and funding spinal cord research. In 2010, he was a torchbearer for the Olympic Games, and that year marked the 25th anniversary of the Man In Motion Tour, celebrated worldwide. Rick remains hopeful that his record will one day be surpassed, fostering a more inclusive world where everyone, regardless of health, can pursue their dreams of global adventure.
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