Agenda Package - City of Vernon

LEfiEFI FROM RIGI{ HRNSEN
What a difference 25 Years can make!
It was a huge, impossible dream - to circle the globe in a wheelchair - and it began with a single
turn of the wheel.
When myteam and lset out upon the Man ln Motion World Tour, we embarked on a global journey of
hope. A hope that we could inspire the world and realize the dream of raising millions of dollars for
spinal cord injury (SCl) research, making communities more accessible and inclusive and changing
the way we look at the potential of people with disabilities. I hoped to inspire a generation to dream
big, and live with Purpose.
This dream is closer to reality today, yet we still have a long road ahead. This is the focus that guides
the Rick Hansen Foundation. The people, programs and partnerships that have been put in motion
continue to move us closer to a cure for spinal cord injury, and a world that is accessible
to everyone.
As we celebrate the anniversary of the Man ln Motion World Tour and 25 years of progress, we enter
a new phase of growth, discovery and engagement with great momentum and excitement. This is the
time to reignite the enthusiasm we all saw in people and communities around the world.
From December 2010 to May 2OI2, the Rick Hansen Foundation willengage in a variety of
activities world wide to mark this anniversary. This journey will be measured not only by the number
of kilometres we travel, but in how we are embraced around the world and across Canada, as we
continue to strive to make positive.differences in the lives of others.
The Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay
One of the key events commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Man ln Motion World Tour is
a national Relay that will be held over a nine month period, commencing on August 24,2OII'
Recreating the Canadian portion of the Man ln Motion World Tour and visiting hundreds of
communities from St. John's, Newfoundland to Vancouver, BC, the Relay will feature thousands of
Relay participants donningthe 25th Anniversary Relay Medal, a powerful symbol of hope. Whìle our
route plans will respect the original Man ln Motion World Tour's dates and communities, highlighting
the progress made over the past 25 years, one of our goals will be to tell the story of Canada and
Canadians - those everyday heroes who are making a difference in their communities, their country
and the world.
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