Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay VIsits Terrace Bay

Written by admin on 15 January 2012

Acting Mayor Jody Davis, and Medal Bearers - Shannon Moquin, Rolly Moquin, Hannah Dicaire, Virginia McMillan, Brandon Pope & Darlene McArthur. Photos courtesy Twp Terrace Bay

Crowds gather as the Rick Hansen Relay passes through Terrace Bay. Photo courtesy Twp of Terrace Bay

TERRACE BAY, ON – More than a quarter-century ago, Rick Hansen and his team set out upon the Man In Motion World Tour, embarking on a global journey of hope that the world could be inspired, raising millions of dollars for spinal cord injury (SCI) research, making communities more accessible and inclusive and changing the way the potential of people with disabilities was seen as he circumnavigated the globe via wheelchair. Hansen had hoped to inspire a generation to dream big, and to live with purpose and he succeeded – the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay is a great example of the lasting success of his original tour.

The streets are lined with supporters as the Rick Hansen Relay passes through Terrace Bay. Photo courtesy Twp Terrace Bay

The Rick Hansen 25^th Anniversary Relay crossed the Northshore the week before Christmas (before ending for 2011 in Thunder Bay from where it also kicked off 2012 earlier this month) after being extremely well received in the communities along the shore. One such community was Terrace Bay. There are many local heroes and inspirational people from the communities the tour is travelling through who stepped in spreading hope in Hansen’s place, playing an integral role in the inspirational Cross-Canada journey which commemorates the Canadian portion of Hansen’s original Man in Motion tour. The 7,000 Medal-Bearers, selected via a national public contest, are described by the 25th Anniversary Relay organizers as, like Hansen, “difference makers in their own right; with the power to change anything”.

Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay. Photo courtesy Twp Terrace Bay

Among the featured Medal-Bearers were six Terrace Bay residents Shannon Moquin, Rolly Moquin, Hannah Dicaire, Virginia McMillan, Brandon Pope & Darlene McArthur, who proudly represented their community (pictured above) when the relay traveled through.

The Rick Hansen Relay is very well received in Terrace Bay. Photos courtesy Twp Terrace Bay

Though there is a long road ahead, Hansen’s dream is closer to reality today. This is the focus that guides the Rick Hansen Foundation. The people, programs and partnerships that have been put in motion continue to move the world closer to a cure for spinal cord injury, and a world that is accessible to everyone.

As we celebrate the anniversary of the Man In 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.

The Rick Hansen Foundation has engaged in a variety of events worldwide to mark the 25th Annivery, these began in December 2010 and continue through to this spring, May 2012. Among the key events commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Man In Motion World Tour is the 25th Anniversary Rick Hansen Relay, held over a nine month period, it began August 24, 2011 and also ends in May 2012.