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Rick Hansen | Man In Motion

@rickhansenofficial

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♿️Founder of @rickhansenfdn
🌎40,000km, 26 month wheelchair trip around the world
👨‍🦯Creating a world without barriers for people with disabilities

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I’ve been reflecting on what an extraordinary and emotional experience it was to be at TIFF in Toronto during this 40th anniversary period of the Man In Motion World Tour.

It was so meaningful for Amanda and me to be joined by original Tour team members Don Alder and Mike Reid along with long-time supporter Dave Doroghy at Roy Thomson Hall for the world premiere of Man In Motion: The Rick Hansen Story. Seeing the film for the first time in a theatre full of people was overwhelming and deeply humbling.

The documentary brought forward a perspective I had never seen in its entirety before — the humour of seeing myself at 27, filled with optimism and naivety, alongside a renewed respect for the grit, tenacity and relentless commitment it took to keep going. The dream was always about creating awareness of the potential of people with disabilities and what becomes possible when barriers are removed.

Watching the film also deepened my gratitude for the extraordinary people who helped carry that dream forward — especially Amanda, whose contribution as my physiotherapist, friend and soon-to-be wife helped keep me on the road day after day. I was reminded again of the courage, leadership and care she brought to our team, and of so many others, who each played a part in bringing the world together in pursuit of a common dream.

My heartfelt thanks to TIFF for selecting the film and to Cameron Bailey for hosting and moderating our panel during the world premiere. My gratitude also extends to Producer Derik Murray and director Adrian Buitenhuis and the team at Network Entertainment in association with Producer Ryan Reynolds and his team at Maximum Effort led by Ashley Fox and everyone who poured such care into telling this story.

What I wasn’t prepared for was the warmth, love and hope that came back from the audience. It reminded me that the journey to make the world accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities is as alive today as it was then, and that our best work is still in front of us. Let’s keep going, Canada. I hope this story helps mobilize the many in motion needed to finish the real ultramarathon of social change.

#TIFF26 taken in Roy Thomson Hall by @rickhansenofficial

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2 days ago

The TIFF world premiere of Man In Motion: The Rick Hansen Story documentary and post screening celebration, in honour of the 40th anniversary of Rick Hansen’s Man In Motion World Tour, was more than a look back at a historic journey. It was a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how much more we can achieve together to create an accessible and inclusive world.

We are incredibly grateful to our donors, sponsors, partners, supporters, volunteers, and gala attendees whose generosity and commitment made this milestone weekend so meaningful.

Every contribution helps move us closer to a world without barriers where people with disabilities can participate fully in every aspect of society. We are deeply grateful for this community of Many In Motion. The progress we’ve made is remarkable, and together, we’re building momentum for the work still ahead.

@tiff_net | @RBC | @remingtonbuilds | @aircanada | @mcdonaldscanada | @pattisonoutdoor | Vantage Group | @canadiantire | @globeandmail | @telus | @toyotacanada | The Yuel Family

#TIFF2026 #WorldWithoutBarriers #ManInMotion #MIMWT40 by @rickhansenofficial

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6 days ago

Canada is best defined by the people who decide to make things better.

For 40 years, Rick Hansen has been one of those people.

And 40 years ago: it was twenty-six months. 34 countries. 40,075 kilometres in a wheelchair. More than $26 million raised for accessibility.

And on this night of the screening in Toronto of the documentary Man in Motion: The Rick Hansen Story over 1.3 million was raised.

If you get the chance to see the doc, do - it’s raw and super honest and human. by @rickhansenofficial

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7 days ago

There are the moments that change everything...

Recipients of the Rick & Amanda Hansen Scholarship for Youth with Disabilities recently received a very special call from Rick (@rickhansenofficial) and Amanda Hansen, sharing the news that they are this year's recipients.

The conversations were filled with excitement, gratitude and emotion as these remarkable young leaders learned their hard work and dedication had been recognized.

Congratulations to all of this year's recipients. We can't wait to see the impact you'll create! 👏 by @rickhansenofficial

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13 days ago

🎬 TIFF RED CARPET: A on the Red Carpet speaks with the Man in Motion himself, Canadian icon Rick Hansen. ❤️

Man in Motion: The Rick Hansen Story, directed by Adrian Buitenhuis and produced by Derik Murray and Ryan Reynolds, follows Hansen’s incredible 40,075-km wheelchair journey across 34 countries.

🎤 From the world premiere at TIFF.

#AOnTheRedCarpet #RickHansen #ManInMotion #RyanReynolds #TIFF by @rickhansenofficial

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16 days ago

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Power To Be and the Rick Hansen Foundation’s Accessible Outdoors Program to Victoria International Marina.

Participants headed out from our marina aboard Everyone Everywhere, a purpose-built accessible vessel designed to make time on the water more inclusive.

For us, it was a simple but meaningful reminder of what access can make possible. More time outside. More connection to the coast. More people able to experience the spectacular waters around Victoria. We were glad to play a small part in that journey.

Read more about the visit and the incredible work behind the program at the link in our bio! by @rickhansenofficial

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16 days ago

Such a special night celebrating Rick Hansen and the world premiere of Man In Motion: The Rick Hansen Story at TIFF (which I highly recommend!!)

Rick has a way of making people feel hopeful about what’s possible; building a team and then a movement so much bigger than one person or one journey, as the film shows.

Over four decades, Rick has helped change the way Canadians think about disability and accessibility, inspired so many people to dream bigger, and pushed all of us to do our part to tear down the barriers that stand in the way of ability. So happy to be there to celebrate a friend and an incredible Canadian. by @rickhansenofficial

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19 days ago

Tomorrow, our Founder, Rick Hansen will take part in DIALOGUES The Stories We Tell: Advancing Accessibility Through Inclusive Storytelling! A special panel discussion at TIFF (@tiff_net today): The Market Summit.

Moderated by accessibility and diversity advocate Julie Ann Crommet (@julieanncrommett), this panel will examine how the stories we tell can influence perceptions, foster greater disability inclusion, and contribute to a more accessible society. The discussion will encourage deeper reflection on representation and accessibility, while underscoring the cultural shifts still required to remove barriers and create lasting change.

Join Rick and fellow thought leaders, Ruth Madeley (@ruthmadeley), Matthew Kowalchuk (@mattkowalchuk), and Prasanna Ranganathan (@prasran) on September 13 at 10 a.m. at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre as they explore the power of storytelling to drive meaningful change.

#MIMWT #TIFF2026 #WorldWithoutBarriers #Accessibility by @rickhansenofficial

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20 days ago

Forty years ago, Rick Hansen set out on a journey that would change how the world understands disability. Now, for the first time, audiences will experience the story behind the Man In Motion World Tour in an entirely new way.

Man In Motion: The Rick Hansen Story will make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Produced by Derik Murray and Ryan Reynolds and the team at Vancouver-based Network Entertainment in association with Maximum Effort and Directed by Adrian Buitenhuis, the documentary brings together never seen archival footage and personal audio diaries of Rick and his teammates throughout the 26-month journey.

More than a story about crossing continents, this is a deeply personal look at the potential of people with disabilities, the determination, challenges, friendships and relationships that made the impossible possible. It also reveals an important side of the journey, including the beginnings of Rick and Amanda's relationship and the remarkable team behind one of the most significant movements for disability awareness in Canadian history.

This world premiere is both a celebration and a reminder. While much progress has been made since Rick wheeled out of Vancouver in 1985, the work of building a world without barriers continues.

We're honoured to see this story shared on the TIFF stage and can't wait for audiences to experience it.

Check out our web page for the latest screening dates and tickets: RickHansen.com/40

#MIMWT #TIFF2026 #WorldWithoutBarriers by @rickhansenofficial

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21 days ago

It’s always a special day when @rickhansenofficial stops by the @bespokewellnessclub

Forty years ago he rolled 40,000 kilometres at the age of 27, through 34 countries, and the world has been building ramps ever since.

Most people don’t connect the two. The curb cut you pushed a stroller through this morning. The automatic door you walked through without thinking. That’s a legacy you use every single day without knowing whose name is on it.

And Rick isn’t done. Forty years in, the conversation has moved from access to regeneration, and he’s still the one leaning forward asking what’s next.

The 40th Anniversary of the Man In Motion World Tour is being celebrated this fall, with premieres in Toronto on September 11 and Vancouver on October 3, 2026. Follow @rickhansenfdn for everything happening. 🎬 by @rickhansenofficial

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21 days ago

🇨🇦 St.John's Newfoundland, August 26, 1986 #MIMWTMemories Forty years ago today, I arrived in St. John’s, Newfoundland—the first Canadian stop on the final leg of my journey home during the Man In Motion World Tour.

I’ll never forget the feeling of being welcomed home on my 29th birthday and experiencing the warmth, generosity, and hospitality that Newfoundland and Labrador are known for. The support I received that day set the tone for the incredible encouragement that followed from communities across Canada.

I was honoured to be greeted by so many people, including George Cohon, founder and CEO of McDonald’s Canada, the Mayor of St. John’s, and countless others who came together to show their encouragement.

I remain deeply grateful to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador—not only for the way they welcomed me 40 years ago, but also for the progress they have helped make toward accessibility for people with disabilities over the past four decades.

As we continue to commemorate this anniversary, it is important to celebrate how far we have come while recognizing how much work remains. My hope is that we continue to rally Canadians from coast to coast to join a Many In Motion movement dedicated to removing barriers and accelerating change.

Together, we can build the Canada we all want to see: an accessible and inclusive country where people with disabilities can fully participate, contribute, and thrive when barriers are removed.

#Newfoundland #Canada #legacy #McDonalds Rick Hansen in his wheelchair surrounded by people, including a Ronald McDonald clown, at an outdoor event with balloons and banners. by @rickhansenofficial

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a month ago

🎙️ Have you checked out this amazing conversation with our Founder @rickhansenofficial yet?

In this @alumniubc podcast, Rick reflects on his journey to UBC, sharing how an initial rejection became the motivation to work harder, pursue his goals, and ultimately earn his place at the university.

A powerful reminder that obstacles can become opportunities for growth, determination, and success!

Thank you, Rick, for sharing this story, and thank you to the UBC Alumni community for highlighting this meaningful conversation. by @rickhansenofficial

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