To describe Rick Hansen as larger-than-life would not be an overstatement. At the age of 15, Hansen sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) in a car crash, paralyzing him from the waist down. Not one to let disability hamper his dream of being a professional athlete, Hansen underwent months of rehabilitation and went on to win 19 international wheelchair marathons, including six medals as a Paralympian. In 1985, at the age of 27, Vancouver native Hansen took his Man In Motion World Tour (MIMWT) through 34 countries, including China, where he famously traveled across the Great Wall. The MIMWT led to the establishment of the Rick Hansen Foundation, which has generated over USD 200 million for quality of life projects, awareness programs and SCI research. As part of the MIMWT’s 25th anniversary, Hansen took a group of Western Academy of Beijing students and teachersto the same spot on the Great Wall that he wheeled across decades earlier. beijingkids met with the man who doesn’t give up to find out what keeps him motivated.
What was it like interacting with some of Beijing’s international students?
The insight that they have! Questions as profound as “Would you walk again if you had the choice to do it?” Wow. I also had a 10-year-old ask me on the Wall yesterday, “If the accident hadn’t happened, I wonder what would have happened to your life. It probably wouldn’t have been as enriched, would you think so?” And then he said, “It’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do with what happens to you.” This from a 10-year-old who looks me straight in the eye.
You famously traveled across the Great Wall during your MIMWT, 25 years ago. What was your experience of China back then?
Back then, coming to China was a milestone. I’d been on the road quite a while and had moments of success but was wondering if my journey was going to have a lasting impact. When I came here, China opened up. People were so supportive and encouraging and it
truly was inspirational – transformational in many ways. At a time when a foreigner wasn’t usually accepted or allowed to come in [to the country], to meet people like Deng Pufang, son of the Chairman at the time, and see his legacy unfold over 25 years. Being on the Wall was also a profound moment because it was such a struggle getting up to the Wall, wheeling to the highest point and then to be there with the kids, to be there with my team and share it – it was very special. It was really neat yesterday to be back up there again and seeing the changes – a Wall that now has a wheelchair accessible ramp and mini lift, and that people with disabilities are going up there on a regular basis. It’s really neat.
How has China’s perception of disabled people changed since then?
If you think about the things that have happened: [China has] invented rights for people with disabilities, they’ve started to create a new infrastructure, and there are more levels of accessibility. There have been some very significant movements like hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2008. I think there’s been a very significant change in China and it’s an encouragement because there are 80 millionpeople with disabilities here – it’s a massive number and a huge challenge. They have a long way to go, and so do other countries around the world, but it’s progress.
What do you hope to achieve during this China tour?
I’d like to say “Thank you,” express my gratitude for the original journey, and recognize local champions – individuals and organizations who have made amazing differences in that long journey. And then, sign agreements and form partnerships for the future: to create a global network of collaborators for a cure for SCI and for accessibility.
Nothing seems impossible or insurmountable for you. What’s your secret?
To me, it’s about growth – constantly learning and stretching myself. Not being afraid to make errors and learn from mistakes. The bigger the goal, the bigger and more capable the team needs to be. If you want to continue to set the bar higher and expand the scope of your vision, then you also need to learn and grow – and every day is a chance.
You have three daughters. What do you hope they’ll learn from your achievements?
I’m incredibly honored. Actually, my oldest daughter is here in China with me. She’s 21 and has finished her first year at university. She’s been traveling the world modeling. She wanted to learn a little bit more about what we do and will be traveling to Hong Kong and Shanghai, after Beijing.
So your kids are actively involved in the things that you do …
Well, I’m involved in what they do, for sure, because I’m their father and I’m also their coach in a lot of sports. They know me as Dad, and they know a little bit about my story. We try not to over-present it in their life because we want them to find their own path. If they want to come and join my path that’s great; if they don’t, I’m as proud as ever because I know they’re going to find their way.
How do you manage your foundation, your athletics and your family?
You have to balance. I can’t say it’s always been perfect. I’ve sometimes had to hit the wall to know where the line is, but I’ve really focused on establishing what my priorities are: it’s health first, then family, then it’s my work. And I’ve learned that the hard way. I’ve recognized that if you want to be there for your family you need to take care of yourself. If you’re not healthy it can all fall apart so quickly. Being there for your family isn’t just about
talking about it; it’s embedding [family]into your life and your schedule. My assistant works with my wife and myself, and the three of us are constantly engaged in ensuring I can be there [for my family].
One of your passions is funding and bringing awareness to SCI research. What developments can you see in this area in the near future?
In the last 25 years there’s been a shift from 30 percent chance of recovery,or any kind of recovery like improved sensation, to now 70 percent. So 70 percent of people who have had a spinal injury, if they are treated in the most effective way, have some kind of recovery. Neuroprotectivestrategies will be coming down the pipeline over the next ten years, which means more newly injured will walk. For neuroregeneration,there are all kinds of cell replacement strategies that are offering new hope. There are even biotech solutions that are being considered as well. We’ve also proven that the spinal cord actually can re-grow. The biggest hope for me is that we see research and clinical
sites around the world work together. That’s one of our big strategies – to create a global clinical trial platform, with 100 sites around the world.
Finally, if you could offer one piece of advice to people who dream big, what would
it be?
The big thing that I’ve been taught is that you can believe that anythingis possible, but not everything. The key is focus, hard work, and makingsure you surround yourself with a great team. And follow your heart: If you’re not aligned with the things that you care deeply about, chances are you’ll probably find a reason to quit. That’s where your strength often comes from: aligning your goals with your passion.
Every time I haven’t done that [I ask myself] why did I end up failing or quitting at this juncture? It’s usually because I’ve been living an old dream. Like when I came back from the Tour, I wanted to regain my world title in wheelchair marathoning. Here’s a guy who’s wheeled around the world and showed ultimate determination, and I couldn’t even finish a workout in preparation for my return. It wasn’t because my motivation and strength had disappeared, but because it wasn’t aligned [with my dream]anymore.
