Boy in Motion: Rick Hansen's Story.

Boy in Motion: Rick Hansen's Story

Ainslie Manson & Renne Benoit

Greystone Books

2323 Quebec Street, Suite 201, Vancouver, BC, Canada, VST 457

www.greystonebooks.com

9781553654278, $12.00, www.amazon.com

"Boy in Motion" is a compelling biography by Ainslie Manson of quadriplegic athlete and visionary Rick Hansen, the man who publicized the Man in Motion world tour begun March 21, 1985 and finished two years, two months and two days later. Raising over 26 million dollars to help people with spinal cord injuries, Rick and his team helped raise world awareness of the need for inclusion of people with disabilities. "Boy in Motion" traces the beginning of Rick's story as a healthy active boy and traces his subsequent life and adjustment following his traumatic accident in a truck coming home from a fishing trip. Rick's determination to reinvent his life post trauma is challenging but very inspiring, especially since he had always been such a talented athlete. Rick seems to embody the notion of never giving up. His team and family support are acknowledged, but his contribution to world awareness of the needs for inclusion of people with disabilities is outstanding. "Boy in Motion" will appeal to a juvenile audience up to age 16. The accompanying water color paintings by Renne Benoit which effectively illustrate Rick's story are truly masterful and poignant. "Boy in Motion" would be ideal for classes or topics on celebrating diversity, as well as adaptive learning and adaptive physical education.