Man in Motion stops by on anniversary tour
Rick Hansen will stop by Burnaby Village Museum on May 18 as part of his Canada-wide tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his Man in Motion relay.
Over roughly a two-year period from 1985 to 1987, Hansen wheeled more than 40,000 kilometres through 34 countries to raise awareness about making the world more accessible.
The Burnaby event will start with musical entertainment in the village, and medal-bearers will pass along the Rick Hansen Medal as it makes its way across the country.
Monica Gartner, the final medal-bearer for the day, will be completing her part of the relay in her wheelchair.
“At times it’s been challenging and at times it’s been very joyous,” Gartner said. Gartner was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition which causes brittle bones. “I don’t know any other way of life, so I can’t compare it to not having a disability.”
“It’s been 25 years since Rick went around the world inspiring people and also putting disability issues in the forefront of society and I think we have to celebrate our successes,” Gartner said. “We also have to make people aware that we still have issues that we need to overcome.”
“It’s an exciting event, it’s a celebration, so it’s a happy time,” Gartner added. “More and more people with disabilities are getting out into the workplace and while it’s not perfect things are on the right track. Everybody has something emotional, psychological, we’re all people and we’re all moving forward to make a better place for the next generation.”
Over 7,000 participants overall will be taking part in the cross-country tour.
The celebration at 6501 Deer Lake Ave. will start at 4 p.m.
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