District Foundation Key Note Speaker - Ramesh Ferris

There is no better spokesperson for the effort to eradicate Polio than someone who has been directly affected by the disease.

Ramesh Ferris was born in December 1979 in Coimbatore, located in the Southern State of Tamil Nadu in India.  He contracted polio at age six months and his legs were left paralyzed for life.  With no means or access to rehabilitation for him, Ramesh’s mother placed him in Families for Children, a Canadian-founded orphanage, a year later. Soon after, Ron Ferris, Anglican Bishop of Yukon in Canada, and his wife Jan began the lengthy process to adopt Ramesh and take him back to Canada.  With the support of his new Canadian family and after several operations, Ramesh learned to walk with crutches and braces for the first time at age 3.5 years.

After much reflection about a visit to India, Ramesh was determined to raise money in order to make a difference in the lives of polio survivors and to prevent polio from claiming new victims.  Cycle to Walk Canada was born, with a focus on Polio Eradication, Education and Rehabilitation. In 2008, Ramesh hand-cycled 4400 Miles (7140 kms) across Canada.  Along the route, he participated in 350 media interviews and made over 200 presentations at Schools, Rotary Clubs, Churches and various levels of Government.  This ampaign raised thousands of dollars and increased the awareness of polio dramatically.

Ramesh is a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Whitehorse Rendezvous. In April 2010 Ramesh released his first book entitled, Better Than a Cure, One Man’s Journey to Free the World of Polio. Books are available for $19.55 online at www.amazon.com, proceeds benefit Rotary PolioPlus for a Polio Free World.