Let Abilities Work Partnership Society

As a nine year old child with a disability, in 1986, Janice Hatt was inspired by and got to meet Rick Hanson in his original "Man In Motion Tour". and to present him with funds raised by her home town, Trenton, Nova Scotia.  Her disability, paraplegia, was due to childhood spinal nerve damage of unkown cause. 

The photo of Janice and Rick, which hung on her bedroom wall as a continuous reminder of motivation since she first shook Rick's hand, went with her in 2005 when Janice's husband's new career sent her family across Canada to Port Alberni, BC (ironically where Rick was born). The same photo hung on her wall on the west coast until the picture was lost during the move back to Nova Scotia in 2006. For Janice, Rick Hansen is her hero and a real difference maker in her life. (...continued)

"Meeting Rick was an amazing experience that changed my life, he is a true inspiration and living proof that nothing should ever get in the way of your dreams and there are no obstacles too big to overcome" Janice said. "I live my life by that same motto every day."

Janice is an advocate for accessibility and equality for those who face challenges such as herself. She gives input on many accessibility issues in her community, including writing letters to newspapers, as well as to local business and employers to address these concerns. Janice has volunteered at the local hospital and used her creative talents at a local school to help students explore creativity through various art projects. As an artist in painting and hand-crafted jewellery, Janice has donated much of her work to raise funds for various causes. Janice has also used her online marketing skills to create awareness of the Rick Hansen Relay for the Town of New Glasgow which neighbours her hometown of Trenton, NS

This September, 25 years later Janice was honoured to take part in the Rick Hansen Relay, only this time her husband and three children were standing with her. The town of Trenton found the archived photo of Janice and Rick, and her inspirational image was returned.
The End - Return to main page