Cindy’s Journey with Disability and Accessibility
Twenty-five years after Rick Hansen’s iconic Man In Motion World Tour (MIMWT), Canadians witnessed another milestone in disability history – the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay. Cindy Hoffstrom was one of the participants who commemorated the legacy of the MIMWT, making the event that linked so many from coast to coast unforgettable.
The streets of Cindy’s small town were blanketed in snow when the Relay rolled through in January 2012. The participants, bundled in their neon yellow event jackets, illuminated the wintery landscape, echoing the spirit of Rick’s achievement; each figure wheeling through the cold was reminiscent of the challenges overcome by Rick decades earlier.
Surrounded by cheering family and friends, each participant handed the next a single medal, a symbol of unity and perseverance. The medal bore the textured imprint of an actual cycling glove worn by Rick, measuring exactly 85 millimeters in diameter, an homage to the year 1985 when the Man In Motion embarked on his journey spanning two years, two months, and two days.
“Nothing will stop us if we really put our minds to it,” Cindy remarked to the community television interviewer on that day in mid-January of 2012. “Most of us have support from family and friends, and that always pushes us to carry on and go another day, another mile.”
A Voice for Improved Access
The Rick Hansen Foundation caught up with Cindy 12 years after the completion of the Relay. It comes as no surprise that the senior is as busy as ever. If she’s not crafting intricate greeting cards (this writer has the pleasure of owning one) for everyone from the Canadian Armed Forces soldiers to residents in her community’s long-term care home, she’s putting her creative talents into creating beautiful Swedish embroidery.
Cindy is a big advocate for accessibility and disability inclusion in her community. Her own experience with disability fuels her passion for change; Cindy’s husband was a double-amputee, is an aunt to a man with quadriplegia, and experienced disability herself when, in 1987, a week before Christmas, she sustained a T12 spinal cord injury while helping her husband load logs for their log-hauling business.
“I come from a family of 12, and as the eldest of six girls, I’ve embraced the lesson of moving on without letting the past get you down. Coming from such a big family meant there was not a lot of time to sit around and feel sorry for yourself,” said Cindy. “The other big lesson was learning how to care for others.”
Cindy navigates her town in a wheelchair, determined to overcome obstacles and connect with as many people as possible to bring awareness to the need of accessibility. While she has witnessed improvements, there is still a long way to go before people with disabilities can go everywhere without encountering barriers.
“I have plans to meet a friend from my wheelchair curling team for dinner at a popular restaurant in town. Our rendezvous is set for 2025 – the year the building is expected to install a wheelchair ramp!” Added Cindy: “And, as someone who is always sewing or knitting, acquiring supplies presents another challenge. When I go to the store, I have to wait on the sidewalk for someone to bring a selection of supplies out because there are three steps leading to the front door.”
A Belief in the Mission
Cindy’s support for the Rick Hansen Foundation stems from her belief in the importance of accessible communities. For Cindy, it’s not just about donating to a cause – it’s about creating spaces where everyone, regardless of ability, can lead fulfilling lives.
“Part of a fulfilling life is not having to worry about whether or not you can get into a building. Or even experiencing somebody’s misconceived notion about what a disability is. It doesn’t define me – it’s just something that is part of me,” Cindy emphasized.
“I hope you will consider making a donation to the Rick Hansen Foundation,” Cindy added. “I wholeheartedly believe in the work this organization is doing – everything from raising awareness and educating people about accessibility and rating buildings for meaningful accessibility to teaching kids about people like me so that they don’t grow up with this idea that people with disabilities are different and that it’s okay to push them off to the side. Let’s create a Canada where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
Donate today to help create an inclusive and accessible country for Cindy and people of all ages and abilities.
