Rick Hansen comes home to celebrate By Kelsey Klassen
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wenty-five years after the Man in Motion World Tour ended, Rick Hansen is still working to change the lives of people with spinal cord injuries. On May 22, the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay will complete its crossCanada journey here, in Vancouver. To celebrate, Canadian difference-makers and entertainers will gather at Pacific Coliseum for Rick Hansen Celebration 25, a spectacular live show that will also serve to launch the first annual Rick Hansen Day of Possibilities — a national public fundraising campaign, which sets the stage for the next 25 years of progress in the areas of spinal cord injury research, accessibility and inclusivity. Notables including environmentalist David Suzuki, Free The Children founder Craig Kielburger, and Paralympic gold-medalist Lauren Woolstencroft will participate in the show as part of a group of outstanding Canadians who serve as inspiring reminders of what can be done to bring positive change to their communities. Vancouver is one of the most wheelchair-
accessible cities in the world thanks to the transformative efforts of the Rick Hansen Foundation and thousands of champions, according to the founder. “It hasn’t happened overnight. A lot of amazing things helped us think about being accessible: the Man In Motion Tour; having 3,000 people close out the Decade of Disabled Persons in ‘92; a good friend of mine, Sam Sullivan being mayor of the city, and hosting the Olympic and Paralympic games,” he told WE. “But we have a long way to go. It’s encouraging to see Mayor Gregor and the City of Vancouver continue to set goals and
challenge other communities.” For Hansen, who was confined to a wheelchair at the age of 15 after a caraccident left him paralyzed from the waist down, his continued motivation comes from seeing the progress already made, and envisioning the potential. “I’ve seen some unbelievable examples. Michael Harcourt, the former premier of the province of BC — he was injured and received best practice treatment and care and he’s walking today with much less permanent paralysis than what would have ever happened before the Man In Motion Tour. “May 22nd was the day I concluded my journey 25 years earlier. The difference between then and now — I know now this is just the beginning.” The two-hour special event will also feature performances by award-winning Canadian artists, including David Foster, Sarah McLachlan, Jann Arden, The Canadian Tenors, Marianas Trench and Johnny Reid. Tickets went on sale Mar. 27 and are available through Ticketmaster at TicketMaster. ca for $25, $55 and $95. Information on the Rick Hansen Day of Possibilities can be found by visiting RickHansen.com/possibilities.
Shannon O’Brian needs your help to Screw Business as Usual
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he founder of Karma Exchange, Shannon O’Brian, was stunned to receive a personal invitation from Sir Richard Branson to enter his latest contest. His Virgin Unite charity is looking “for those who, at the same time as wanting to develop a business and make a living, also want to do more to help people and the planet.” And he thought the Vancouver-based social enterprise was a perfect candidate. Karma Exchange partners with local businesses such as Bel Café in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, the Sutton Place Hotel, Vida Spas, Sala Thai, Red Tree Wellness, and the American Cheesesteak Company to harness the power of the consumer to fund water projects and girls’ education in Northern Ghana. To date, over 24,000 people have been given access to clean water and 1,000 girls are given high school and university scholarships every year. If you could help her reach the Top 10 by voting online before March 31, a little good karma could come your way. Go to http:// tinyurl.com/6q9tdad to vote and see her video. (KarmaExchange.com)
Monte Hannah 604.454.7727 VANCOUVER SPECIALIST
Scan the QR Code with your mobile device for more listings and rentals at www.montehannah.com
KITS PENTHOUSE! 702 - 1818 WEST 6TH $983,000
WATERFRONT! 202 - 1675 HORNBY $899,000
TUGBOAT LANDING 408 - 1820 EAST KENT $330,000
1 BEDROOM SUITE 503-567 HORNBY $249,900
WATER VIEWS! 1606 - 1500 HOWE $638,000
3 bedroom Penthouse with unlimited views. Concrete building. Parking & storage,
2 bedroom, 2 bath & 2 parking on seawall. Balcony plus 450 sf garden terrace.
Exceptional top floor one bedroom. Spacious open plan, clubhouse. Pet friendly & rentable.
YALETOWN PARK II 2106 - 909 MAINLAND $399,000
WALL CENTRE! 1510 - 1050 BURRARD $690,000
FOR LEASE 1818 WEST 6TH AVE $2200
South facing one bedroom and den with balcony. Parking, storage, gym and concierge.
2 bedroom, 2 bath. Hardwood floors, balcony. Parking. Furnished and leased.
Furnished suite in financial district. No rental restrictions.
Furnished 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 parking. Balcony and water view.
2 bdrm, 2 bath with parking and storage. Steps to seawall and Aqua Bus. Health Club. Rentals allowed.
ED LEAS
SOLD
MONTE HANNAH, Associate Broker
604.261.9311 (24 hrs.) 604.261.6648 (fax) info@montehannah.com
www.MonteHannah.com
WEVancouver.com
March 29 - April 4, 2012
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