The Man in Motion: How Rick Hansen’s World Tour Helped Break Down Barriers for People with Disabilities

Gr 1-4–After a car accident at age 15 left Rick Hansen paralyzed from the waist down, he refused to let the wheelchair he used to in any way limit his dreams. Determined to inspire others and raise awareness for people with disabilities, Hansen wheeled over mountains, deserts, and cities during a “Man in Motion World Tour” launched 40 years ago in 1985. Through obstacles, extreme weather, and moments of doubt, Hansen kept pushing forward, capturing international attention and leaving behind a message of resilience and possibility. FitzGerald’s illustrations, stylized in some scenes to appear as snapshots and Polaroids, bring readers right into the journey, evoking both the hardships and the triumphs. This biography effectively balances Hansen’s personal story with the broader message of disability advocacy and inclusion. Nicholson’s accessible prose draws readers into the man’s physical and emotional challenges, while Hansen’s own words in the back matter offer a personal call to action. The friendly artwork, varying from intimate single-page vignettes to expansive spreads, offers readers a sense of both the scale of the journey and the determination required. The addition of fun facts, maps, and back matter strengthens the text’s usefulness in classrooms and libraries.