• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7

2015 Golden Oak nominee

A biography for young readers of activist Rick Hansen

Rick Hansen suffered a spinal cord injury at the age of 15 after a car accident. But it didn't stop him - during the 1980s he was active in the Paralympics as a wheelchair basketball player. He became inspired by Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope and when Terry Fox was forced to end his run across Canada prematurely, Rick Hansen made a vow to carry on. This vow became the Man in Motion" tour. Rick circumnavigated the globe in his wheelchair raising awareness and money for spinal cord research. It was a 26 month trek across 4 continents and 34 countries. Rick's activism and the foundation he created after the tour continue to this day.

Reviews:
"Canadians, young and old alike, need look no further than the remarkable, accomplished Rick Hansen to note with pride the heroic nature of this Canadian life. This is an inspiring biography that can cause teachers to explore with students the question of how we can take up Rick's challenge to 'go out and make a difference.'"
Highly Recommended.
— CM Magazine

Don Quinlan is a retired history teacher from the Toronto District School Board. He has authored or co-authored over thirty books for students in secondary and elementary schools. He currently works on a series of projects for the CBC. Like so many Canadians, he admires the life of Tim Horton, enjoys visiting Tim Hortons, and is patiently awaiting the return of the Stanley Cup to Toronto.

Don Quinlan's profile page

"Canadians, young and old alike, need look no further than the remarkable, accomplished Rick Hansen to note with pride the heroic nature of this Canadian life. This is an inspiring biography that can cause teachers to explore with students the question of how we can take up Rick's challenge to 'go out and make a difference.'"
Highly Recommended.
— CM Magazine