THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay played host this week to a quadriplegic hand-cyclist who is travelling across the country to promote activity-based therapy, accessibility, and inclusion of people with disabilities.
In addition to raising awareness, Kevin Mills and his team at Pedaling Possibilities are working to establish a biking route across the country that will be accessible for all levels of ability.
Kevin Mills said it has always been his dream to cycle across the country, but after he sustained a spinal cord injury in 2009, he felt lost and unable to participate in his favourite sports.
Mills said it was thanks to the support he received from his biking partner Nikki Davenport and his personal support worker Candace Wyns, who are accompanying him on the trip, that he was able to embark on the journey at all.
“I didn't think it was possible, I couldn't do it by myself. I couldn't bike alone for hours a day,” he said.
He credited Davenport with pitching the ambitious idea.
"We were biking after work a couple of days a week, and one day she's like, 'I got something important to ask you' and.she just asked if I’d like to bike across Canada, and I almost crashed into her."
The team arrived in Thunder Bay on Tuesday, making a stop at Community Spokes for a tune-up during their visit. They were expecting to depart Thunder Bay on Friday morning.
Those who are interested can follow the team's progress via their Facebook page or website.
The cross-country trek hasn't been without its mishaps. Mills had one of his bikes stolen while travelling through Quebec, but said overall, the support he's receievd from Canadians so far has been extraordinary.
“Getting the bike stolen was a big hit. I had two bikes and having just one bike made me really nervous, because I'm like, I could break anything,” he said.
“But I got a new bike purchased for me from Tony and Rita, a really amazing couple, so now I have two bikes again and I absolutely know I can do it now.”
Pedaling Possibilities is a not-for-profit organization that is accepting donations online to help support the journey from coast to coast. Any remaining funds will go to help fund activity-based therapy programs.
Mills does ask that motorists who see the group on the highway give as much room as possible, as he can’t always get far enough off the road on his bike.
