Whitehorse polio survivor to embark on handcycling tour across Canada

As a Whitehorse man prepares for his arm-powered quest across Canada to raise awareness about polio, his hometown intends to put its own muscle towards giving him an official sendoff.

This weekend, Ramesh Ferris, 28, will start a 7,200-kilometre journey across the country on a handcycle, which is a tricycle powered by his arms instead of his legs.

"I need to use a handcycle because polio paralyzed my legs at the age of six months," Ferris told CBC News in an interview. "I'm using my arms because that's what I can use."

As a baby, Ferris was adopted from India by Canadian parents in 1982.

India, as well as Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, are four nations that still have polio pandemics — something that Ferris said he wants to eradicate through his Cycle to Walk Tour, which will aim to raise awareness and money.

His six-month journey will take him from Victoria to Cape Spear, N.L.

He hopes to raise at least $10 million towards polio immunization, education and rehabilitation programs.

The Yukon Federation of Labour already has donated more than $8,000 to the cause, while the territorial government donated $15,000 and promised to match up to $50,000 in donations raised by Yukoners.

"It's exciting to see the community of Whitehorse just really take it on as a project to send a message to Canada and the rest of our global community that we need to work together to forward the eradication of polio," Ferris said.

The Cycle to Walk tour will begin Saturday in Victoria, but Whitehorse will host a ceremonial start on Thursday.

At Monday's council meeting, Mayor Bev Buckway proclaimed Thursday as Remesh Ferris Cycle to Walk Day.