Through the power of his own story and the inspiration he’s found in others, Rick Hansen encourages us all to recognize the Difference Makers in our lives and to see ourselves as Difference Makers.

Difference Makers are leaders by example, catalysts – those whose passion and courage ignite talent and action in others. Their energy empowers them to believe in their own potential and find solutions to barriers.

Who among your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors create an impact? What can you do to make others around you better?

Rick shares his vision and inspires audiences to join his journey to create a better world.

When Rick Hansen was 15, his life changed forever. He was thrown from the back of a pickup truck and he sustained a spinal cord injury that paralyzed him from the waist down. He would never walk again.

Lying in the hospital bed on his 16th birthday, Rick recognized that his new reality interfered with all his goals and dreams – he had wanted to become a professional athlete and thought this was no longer possible. But with the incredible support of those around him, Rick learned to move forward.

Once he could see the possibilities and stop the comparisons between life before and after his injury, it got easier for Rick to adapt and excel again.

Rick has won four World Championships and six medals as a Paralympian. He also competed for Canada in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. And then of course, he wheeled across the globe through blinding snowstorms, endless mountain ranges and uncompassionate political borders to compete his Man in Motion World Tour.

Today, Rick looks back on his amazing experiences since his injury and wouldn’t trade them for anything. Sometimes change is unexpected and uncomfortable, but if you can learn to manage change, it also brings new opportunity.

Rick Hansen challenges us all to fight for accessibility as a human right. But a barrier-free, inclusive world will only be achieved when we all work together, one good turn at a time. Technology and science are slowly improving health outcomes but we need inclusivity and accessibility to be at the core of our laws and innovations. And, in addition to removing physical barriers, we must acknowledge and tackle the stubborn invisible ones, too.

This means changing the way we think and talk. By reflecting on our own actions and beliefs, we can challenge existing standards and dream up new ones – ones that foster hope, inspiration and acceptance.

Today, there are more than 1.3 billion people in the world with disabilities, representing an untapped economic potential worth $6 trillion in disposable income. This is an emerging market the size of China, and one that all forward thinking businesses should be paying attention to. Making workplaces, venues, products and technology accessible makes economic and social sense; businesses have much to profit from, in dollars and talent.

Rick will show you how to make your space accessible and what it might cost, but importantly, he’ll explain the potential return on your investment and why you can’t afford to miss out. In the year ahead, diversity will affect your bottom line.

Since 1988, the Rick Hansen Foundation has funded quality of life initiatives, accessibility programs for people with disabilities, and research for the prevention, care and cure of paralysis after spinal cord injury.

The Rick Hansen Institute connects scientists and clinicians in Canada and around the world to collaborate on projects that will reduce long-term costs, improve quality of life, and achieve the greatest impact for people living with an spinal cord injury.

With greater collaboration and innovation within and outside the healthcare industry, we can make more progress, quicker. Not just in spinal cord research but for other causes too, we need to expand our global database around the world, facilitate research, and disseminate best practices knowledge to medical professionals everywhere.

Rick and his team believe in the next generations of Difference Makers. They are passionate about inspiring youth and empowering them to be compassionate, engaged and socially responsible leaders.

Raising awareness about inclusion in the classroom through the Rick Hansen School Program (RHSP) has been proven to decrease bullying, change perceptions and increase volunteerism.

Understanding the significance of the support and mentorship he has received throughout his life, Rick is committed to working with young people to support the development life skills. He encourages them to be the best that they can be and to believe that anything is possible if they have the courage to try.

Rick Hansen is represented by The Spotlight Agency for sponsorships, endorsements, public relations and media spokesperson campaigns, product launches, voiceovers, celebrity appearances, and more.  Please visit The Spotlight Agency for more details.