Follow Ramesh's Journey

Click here to visit a writeup from Portage la Prairie

“Ramesh Ferris is traveling 400 kilometres every ten days from B.C. to Newfoundland to help the fight against an almost forgotten disease, and he’s doing it with his hands. Ferris contracted Polio at a young age and has dedicated his trip to shedding light on the devastating disease. He’s currently stopped in Portage la Prairie, and hopes people understand and support his message. He explains we continue to research for cures for other diseases without exercising our ability to eradicate another. He poses the question of whether new cures for diseases like Cancer and AIDS will be limited to richer countries, much like Polio is today.

Ferris is part of a number of activities in the community including an RCMP escorted ride, and visit to Yellowquill school. He encourages people to visit his website, www.cycletowalk.com, where they can learn more about the Cycle to Walk campaign and the fight against Polio.”

This appeared on the front-inside page of the Regina Leader-Post. Click here to read the full article.

“In 1953 Canada had the highest polio rates per capita in the world. While worldwide rates of polio infection have dropped 99 per cent, Ferris is stunned that more than three million Canadians have not been immunized.”

This article appeared in the Anglican Journal.  Click here to read it.

“Ramesh Ferris, adopted son of Bishop Ron Ferris, diocese of Algoma, is cycling across Canada to draw attention to the viral disease of polio. Although considered eradicated in the West, some remain exposed. The paralyzing disorder affects thousands in India, Mr. Ferris’ native country, and threatens anyone in the world who has not been immunized.”

“More Canadian kids of immigrant mothers are being vaccinated, finds a new study, though the overall rate of vaccinations could be improved among both immigrant and non-immigrant groups.”

Click here to read. 

I’m so excited to share these letters to the editor I found in the Edson Leader newspaper. I’d like to thank Katia and Jairus Davi-Digui, and Lauren and Samuel Pelkey for the kind words, and for taking Cycle to Walk’s message seriously. It’s important for everyone to learn about polio and how we all can help to end it forever.

“Cyclist inspires students” - Monday May 12, 2008

Dear Editor:

Ramesh is in “Cycle to Walk.” He cannot use his legs for a bike so he uses his hands; that type of bike is called a “hand cycle.” The reason he cannot use his legs is because he had polio.
Ramesh is 28 years old and his last name is Ferris.
You can phone, e-mail or go on the website.
Phone: (867) 668-3900 or 1-866-599-0045
E-mail:
Website: http://www.cycletowalk.com

Sincerely,
Katia Davi-Digui

Dear Editor:

I was able to see Ramesh this morning. My friend Sam Pelkey invited me to see him off. I was able to see the hand cycle and GPS. I learned a little about his background, his disease and his passion to assist people like him. I hope he will get the credit he deserves.

Sincerely,
Jairus Davi-Digui

To the Editor:

My name is Lauren and yesterday something marvelous changed my life! I am home-schooled and my father is in Rotary. He was going to do a speech, so he wanted mother to come. At Rotary, there was someone there named Ramesh Ferris. (Pronounced Raw – mesh.) He needed a place to stay so mother said he could stay at our house, of course.
He is now 28 years old, with the dream of helping children with polio. He is a polio survivor himself. He will soon have gone from Victoria, British Columbia to Cape Spear, Newfoundland & Labrador. Ramesh rides a hand cycle. At about 8:30 at night he and another person named Chris came. Chris took photos for Ramesh. The next morning they went to have breakfast with father and a couple other Rotarians like him. Then they went to the Rec Centre and we also came. Before they left Edson, they gave us T-shirts, wrist bands and pictures of him on his hand cycle. Then they left.
I think that it is so amazing because he has a disability and is changing the world. Terry Fox had gone half way around Canada, Ramesh has gone one – seventh.
Ramesh says to follow your dreams!
For more information please contact them at http://www.cycletowalk.com.

Sincerely,
Lauren Anika Pelkey
Grade 3

To the Editor:

Ramesh (Raw-mesh) is awesome! He’s like Terry Fox on wheels! He’s really cool. So are his helpers. On May 5 he marked 1000 km (!!!) and on a hand cycle!!! Please check out his website to track him across Canada at http://www.cycletowalk.com. I hope you find the site as interesting as I do.

Sincerely,
Samuel Pelkey
Grade 5

“We live in a global community with global travel,” said Ferris, adding that it is a only a matter of time before polio will be seen in Canada if there are people who haven’t been immunized, despite the vaccine being cheap and readily available since 1955. “We have the tools to finish the job.”

A piece by the Salmon Arm Observer.  Click here to read it.

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