Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/118160
president'smessage ONE OF THE GREAT things about being president of BCAA is that I get to meet some remarkable British Columbians. I had that privilege recently when I welcomed Rick Hansen to our offices in Burnaby. Everyone knows the story of B.C.'s Man in Motion, so I won't repeat it. But as we chatted about the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay, I was reminded of some things that are definitely worth repeating. For example, one-third of all new spinal cord injuries (70 per cent among children) result from road crashes. This underlined for me the value of BCAA Road Safety Foundation initiatives such as our Child Passenger Safety and Teen Driver programs. Rick also reminded me that one of the goals of the Rick Hansen Foundation is to create a more inclusive and accessible society. I was surprised to hear him say that, although we've come a long way, we're still only about half-way to meeting those goals. An example he provided during our meeting really drove this home. I asked Rick to comment on BCAA's efforts to accommodate people with disabilities. He was respectful of our efforts, then he smiled and said: "Tim, you've got a great balcony outside your office. I'd love to have the rest of our meeting out there." I instantly realized that, where I could simply step over the ledge and onto our balcony, it would take quite an effort for Rick to follow me outside. It was a humbling and eye-opening experience. On March 19, 2012, the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary relay reaches B.C. And as I watch the participants crisscross our province, I'll be reminded of Rick's powerful message. BCAA is an organization dedicated to supporting the safe mobility of our Members. As we pursue our own journey toward inclusiveness, we'll be inspired by people like Rick and other remarkable British Columbians who help make our communities better, safer, and more inclusive. ba. To learn more about what the Rick Hansen Foundation is doing to help make B.C. communities more accessible, visit www.rickhansen.com Tim Condon President and CEO, BCAA 6 WESTWORLD p06-07_Prez.indd 6 >> WINTER 2011 11/1/11 2:08:15 PM