Editing Rick Hansen (section)

==Early life==
Born in [[Port Alberni, British Columbia]] in 1957, Rick Hansen grew up in [[Williams Lake, British Columbia]]. He had an active childhood, where he played volleyball, baseball, softball, and basketball. He often spent time outdoors with his father and grandfather who took him fishing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rickhansen.com/about-rick/ricks-story|title = Rick's Story &#124; Rick Hansen Foundation}}</ref>

On June 27, 1973, Hansen and a friend were coming back from a fishing trip and riding in the back of a [[pickup truck]] when the driver lost control of the vehicle and rolled. The impact threw Hansen and his friend from the vehicle, resulting in a [[spinal injury]] that left Hansen paralyzed from the waist down.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/rick-hansen|title = Rick Hansen &#124; the Canadian Encyclopedia}}</ref>

He worked on rehabilitation, completed high school, and in 1976 he enrolled at the [[University of British Columbia]], and became the first student with a physical disability to graduate with a bachelor's degree in [[physical education]] in 1986 from the university.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UBC School of Kinesiology Alumni Spotlight: Rick Hansen |url=https://kin.educ.ubc.ca/rick-hansen/ |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=kin.educ.ubc.ca}}</ref> Hansen won national championships on wheelchair volleyball and [[wheelchair basketball]] teams. In 1977, Hansen recruited Terry Fox to join the Vancouver Cable Cars to play on their wheelchair basketball team. The two became good friends.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rick's Story {{!}} Rick Hansen Foundation |url=https://www.rickhansen.com/about-rick/ricks-story |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=www.rickhansen.com |language=en}}</ref>

Hansen went on to become a world-class champion wheelchair marathoner and [[Paralympic Games|Paralympic]] athlete. He competed in wheelchair racing, winning a total of six medals: three gold, two silver, and one bronze. Hansen won 19 international wheelchair marathons, including three world championships. He also coached high school basketball and volleyball. Hansen had a very close relationship with his family, especially with his brother, father and grandfather, with whom he enjoyed frequent fishing trips.