Follow Ramesh's Journey

It was definitely worth fighting the prairie winds to arrive at the Battlefords. Over the past couple of days, the team had a great time meeting members of the community and spreading the message of Cycle to Walk. We could truly feel the excitement of the campaign spreading to everyone around us.

The team left the Battlefords area this morning with a roadside farewell from Doug and Thelma Ebach, and Ron Studney. My good friend Jody Studney cycled for about 45 of the 67 km today, which was really nice. I would encourage anyone else who wants to bike with me to contact campaign headquarters in Whitehorse. We could certainly arrange something, and the company is always welcome.

The cycling day ended at Radisson, SK. We then drove into Saskatoon where I hand cycled alongside three other polio survivors: Donna Spratt, Dale Schiissler, and Ronald Johnson. These three all contracted polio before 1955, prior to the release of Jonas Salk’s vaccine. It has been 53 years since then; 53 years since the world was given something better than a cure for polio: prevention. There is no reason for children to continue to die and become paralyzed by polio.

We were welcomed by the Right Reverend Rodney Andrews, Anglican Bishop for the Diocese of Saskatoon, and members of St. John’s Cathedral. The team enjoyed a wonderful meal put on by the church and we were given the opportunity to share Cycle to Walk’s message. Cycle to Walk exists in order to get people together, build awareness, and send the message that we can and we will build a polio free world.

I’d like to send out a special thanks to the congregation of St. John’s Cathedral for their generous hospitality and donation, as well as Bishop Andrews and Bill Edwards for arranging the team’s arrival in to Saskatoon.