An assembly of the students at Miramichi Valley High School recently welcomed the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay team to their school. The group is on a cross-Canada relay-tour to commemorate the accomplishments of the “Man in Motion” 25 years ago. Hansen, a paraplegic, brought national and world-wide attention to the needs of people who suffer from spinal cord injuries.  As part of the afternoon’s program, a ribbon cutting ceremony by Miramichi City Mayor Gerry Cormier marked the official opening of the new accessibility doors installed in the gymnasium wing of the school. The doors came about through the endeavors of a student advocacy group. See Wheels in Motion   . The assembly program itself included words of acknowledgement and congratulations from city and school officials as well as from representatives of the Rick Hansen Foundation. Barry Amos, a paraplegic, a community volunteer coach and a frequent user of the gym facility also spoke to the high school students. He described what it has been like for him since his diving accident four years ago, how his life has changed and the positive adjustments he is making. Also on the program were 2 videos, one the students produced to lobby for the accessibility doors and one of Rick Hansen’s 1985-7 Man in Motion event.  The Nelson-Doyle Dancers performed a dance to the Rick Hansen’s Man-in-Motion theme song, St. Elmo’s Fire. Barry and members of the MVHS advocacy group participated in the commemorative relay in Shediac and Moncton respectively last week, passing on a specially struck medal that is making its way across Canada. The accessibility advocacy group that grew from a class assignment includes Emma Boulay, Olivia Barry, Jenna Cassidy, Laura Richard, Adam Travis and Julianna Hache.  Their work is supported by English teachers Krista Cabel and Ann O’Neill-MacDonnell.  Jenna was actually the 1000th person to bear the commemorative medal on its trans-continental journey. The group, not content to have successfully advocated to city and school officials for the need of the accessibility doorways, presented the Rick Hansen Foundation, which is active in funding spinal cord injury research, with a cheque for $1800. To see photos from the September 28th event visit:The 25th Anniversary Rick Hansen Relay - MVHS Assembly . Other Related Links: "Wheels in Motion" VideoThe 25th Anniversary Rick Hansen Relay – Barry Amos Article