2003
Mr Patrick Segal, French General Inspector of Social Affairs
HonDLitt in recognition of his role as a champion of sport for the disabled.
Paralysed since a shooting accident in 1972, Patrick pursued his dreams regardless. He hitch-hiked around the world; wrote a best-seller about his adventures; directed films featured at Cannes and the Academy Awards; and belonged to the French paraplegic athletics team.
He has worked with the charity Handicap International in the refugee camps of Cambodia, Afghanistan and Mozambique. As Vice-President of the charity, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his operations to clear land-mines. He became Deputy Mayor of Paris in 1989 and was later appointed by President Chirac to lead reforms for disabled people in France.