Rick Hansen (Canadian Athlete and Advocate)

Rick Hansen is a Canadian athlete and disability advocate known for his inspiring leadership. After a car accident in 1973 left him paralyzed from the waist down, he went on to become a world-class wheelchair athlete, notably completing a marathon around the perimeter of all of Canada in 1985. His efforts raised awareness and funds for spinal cord research and accessibility initiatives. Hansen also founded the Rick Hansen Foundation, which promotes better accessibility, inclusion, and a better quality of life for people with disabilities. His work has significantly advanced disability rights and accessibility in Canada and beyond.