Rick Hansen wheels into Belleville for visit

By Kurt Weiss

Photo by Taylor Renkema

Rick Hansen had a goal 25 years ago to improve the world for people with accessibility issues.

On Monday, he brought that goal to Belleville as part of his 25^th Anniversary Relay.

The renewal of Hansen’s journey began this past August in Cape Spear, in Newfoundland and Labrador. The tour includes more than 600 communities across Canada.

Belleville was among the many stops nationwide, welcoming the 54-year-old Hansen to Market Square. Mayor Neil Ellis said it means a lot to the city to hold an event like so.

“You see the turnout today, it’s been 25 years since Rick Hansen started his journey, and today, 25 years later, he’s in this great city.”

Karen Kitchen was chosen by the Anniversary Rick Hansen Relay Belleville Committee as the final medal-bearer for this segment of the retraced journey. She said that experience was life-changing for her.

“I’ve actually held the Olympic gold medal around my neck in Hamilton, and everybody said that must’ve been life-changing for you. I said this will not even compare to that. The Olympic Gold Medal can’t even come close to what I wore today.”

When the voyage ends in Vancouver on May 22, 2012, the 7,000 medal bearers will continue to pass on the Rick Hansen medal to each other during the nine-month, 12,000-kilometre journey across Canada.