TORONTO, June 5 /CNW/ -WHEN:     Tuesday, June 5th at 10:00 a.m.

    WHERE:    Cafeteria, Bloorview Kids Rehab
              150 Kilgour Road, Toronto

    WHO:      Experts in the field of spinal cord injury will share the
              progress that has been made in research and rehabilitation over
              the past twenty years.

              Paralympian Jeff Adams and Bloorview Kids Rehab client,
              Nicholas Schoenhoff, compare their stories of experiencing a
              spinal cord injury as well as treatments and rehabilitation.
              Today, thanks to developments in the field of spinal cord
              injury, Nicholas is able to walk with the support of canes
              after being injured two years ago. He continues to improve and
              hopes that one day he will be able to walk without canes.

              Dr. Michael Fehlings will provide an update on the progress of
              research and the outlook for the next twenty years of spinal
              cord research and rehabilitation.

              Guest speakers include:
              1. Valerie McMurtry, President and CEO of Bloorview Kids Rehab
                 Foundation
              2. Dr. Michael Fehlings, Director of the Spinal Program at
                 Toronto Western Hospital
              3. Jeff Adams, Paralympian and Rick Hansen Foundation
                 Ambassador
              4. Nicholas Schoenhoff, Rick Hansen Foundation Ambassador
              5. Jeff Bartja, Scotiabank District Vice President, Toronto
                 Centre
              6. Maureen Shaughnessy Kitts, Chairperson of Wheels In Motion
                 Toronto

    WHY:      Twenty years ago, Rick Hansen wheeled around the world, fueled
              by the dream of a fully accessible and inclusive society, and a
              cure for spinal cord injury. This dream lives on today through
              the 5th annual Rick Hansen Wheels In Motion, presented by
              Scotiabank.

              Wheels In Motion is an event held in communities across Canada
              to raise funds to improve the quality of life of people with
              spinal cord injury, and for research leading to a cure.

              On Sunday, June 10th, people of all ages and abilities will
              wheel or walk with friends and family along a designated route
              or participate in a fun and challenging wheelchair relay to
              raise funds and make a difference in their community. The
              Toronto Wheels In Motion event will take place this Sunday at
              the Docks at Polson Pier at 8:30 a.m.The Rick Hansen Foundation works to create more accessible and inclusive
communities for people with a spinal cord injury, and supports the search for
a cure. The Foundation achieves its goals by connecting the people and
resources that make innovation possible. The Foundation is particularly
grateful to its Premier Partner, Scotiabank, for its outstanding commitment to
making a difference in the lives of people with spinal cord injury and other
mobility impairments.