He’s one of our Canadian heroes.
Rick Hansen is often mentioned in the same breath as Terry Fox. Both are great men who have shown us how to be greater than we think we are, and how all of us have something to give.
It seems fitting, somehow, that the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay will be making its way through Woolwich Township this Saturday.
This is, after all, the home of Woolwich Sledge Hockey, an organization that gives those with different abilities the chance to play our national sport.
We also host the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion event every summer, which raises money for spinal cord research, as well as provides support for those who suffer from spinal cord injuries.
We are also a community that is well on its way towards raising the $250,000 needed for a fully accessible playground, through Kate’s Kause, the fundraising campaign named after Kate Meissner, who was born with Angelman Syndrome.
Elmira is also the hometown of Katie Harnock, whose prowess at wheelchair basketball is sending her to the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.
It is also home to Corin Metzger, who will be one of the medal bearers in Saturday’s relay.
Metzger, who plays wheelchair basketball and sledge hockey at an international level, has spina bifida. While this is a congenital condition that has meant Corin will likely never walk, it has not limited the life she lives.
In this issue of the Elmira Independent, we have a feature story on Woolwich Sledge Hockey, an organization that Metzger is involved in, along with her father Keith.
Metzger has made it clear that she never thought that her disability should restrict her — a message she clearly learned from her parents.
“When I hear of other people (with disabilities) not doing what I’m doing, I wonder why not?” said Metzger, in the story.
Metzger, of course, is too young to remember the original Man in Motion tour.
But it’s clear that the legacy of Rick Hansen continues to grow, as young men and women find a future with hope, not despair, regardless of their physical limitations.
We look forward to seeing this legacy spelled out on Saturday, as the 25th anniversary Rick Hansen Relay makes its way through town.
That’s because there are far more Corin Metzgers, Katie Harnocks, Kate Meissners and Rick Hansens out there.
It is good for us to be reminded of that, and celebrate.