Rick Hansen celebrates Fort St. John Difference Makers

A difference maker is defined as someone who is creating a more inclusive world by removing physical and social barriers to create more accessible communities.

10 year-old Erica Thomas, who was given her medal earlier in the day, was recognized again for her strength in the face of disability. Erica has become a public speaker, spreading the message of what it's like to be confined to a wheelchair.

Chair of the Mayor's Disability Advisory Committee Lori Slater was named a Difference Maker as well, with her extremely long list of efforts to help make the community a more accessible place. Slater has organized the Wheels in Motion events in Fort St. John, and is responsible for the Accessible Parking Campaign and has worked with an Aging with Disabilities study and brought workshops on visitable housing.

Ray Archambault, who took over for Hansen was he wasn't able to make the trip to Fort St. John 25 years ago, was also honoured. In 1978 he completed his own 350 kilometre tour around the Peace Region to raise money for the Rick Hansen foundation. He's also involved in the Mayor's Disability Advisory Committee and the PARTY Program, and competed in the summer Olympics.

Lastly, Debbie Morton was recognized for her work as President of the Darren Almond Memorial Travel Foundation, which helps with the cost of travelling to medical appointments and treatment outside the area. Morton is Darren's older sister, and has been involved with the foundation from the beginning.

All of the Difference Makers received a replica of the official Rick Hansen Relay Medal, while everyone in the room got the opportunity to touch the singular silver medal designed by the Royal Canadian Mint. After the ceremony, members of the public also got the chance to meet the Man and take pictures with him. Fort St. John was chosen as one of five communities chosen to be an official 25th Anniversary Celebration Community as Hansen retraces the original route of his Man In Motion World Tour.

Photos from the day are below: