              richard marvin "rick" hansen, cc, obc (born 26 august 1957) is a canadian paralympian and a philanthropist for people with spinal cord injuries. following a pick up truck accident at the age of 15, hansen sustained a spinal cord injury that paralyzed his physical functions below his waist. hansen is most famous for his man in motion world tour. he was one of the final torchbearers in the 2010 winter olympics.  he was profiled and spoke during the opening ceremony for the 2010 winter paralympics.canadian heroes fox, hansen invoked to open 2010 paralympics, yahoo sports canada, march 13, 2010 ==early life== born in port alberni, british columbia, rick hansen grew up in williams lake, british columbia. as a young athlete, he had won all-star awards in five sports. he was paralyzed at the age of 15 from being in the back of a truck with his friend, when suddenly the pick up truck swerved and hit a tre
1957_births Athletes_(track_and_field)_at_the_1980_Summer_Paralympics Athletes_(track_and_field)_at_the_1984_Summer_Paralympics Canadian_humanitarians Canadian_people_of_Norwegian_descent Canadian_wheelchair_racers Companions_of_the_Order_of_Canada Living_people Lou_Marsh_Trophy_winners Medalists_at_the_1980_Summer_Paralympics Medalists_at_the_1984_Summer_Paralympics Members_of_the_Order_of_British_Columbia Paralympic_bronze_medalists_for_Canada Paralympic_gold_medalists_for_Canada Paralympic_silver_medalists_for_Canada Paralympic_track_and_field_athletes_of_Canada People_from_Port_Alberni People_from_Richmond,_British_Columbia People_with_paraplegia Terry_Fox_Hall_of_Fame University_of_British_Columbia_alumni Wheelchair_racers_at_the_1984_Summer_Olympics