Overcoming Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rency Thomas' Inspirational 100-Day Journey on the Ganga River

At the age of 20, Rency Thomas received a life-altering diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, shattering his dream of becoming an Air Force pilot. Determined not to let his condition define him, Rency, now 36, has embarked on a remarkable 100-day solo expedition, kayaking and cycling along the Ganga River, spanning over 2,600 km.

Hailing from Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, Rency was an avid outdoor enthusiast with aspirations of flying aircraft. However, the onset of arthritis during college left him bedridden and grappling with the harsh reality that his dream might never materialize. Undeterred, he redirected his passion towards light aircraft flying, eventually founding a startup, Live360 Adventures, in Manali.

Rency's startup provided an outlet for his love of the outdoors, serving as a testament to his resilience. Battling the unpredictable nature of rheumatoid arthritis, which recently left him with limited mobility in two fingers, Rency embarked on his ambitious Ganga River journey on November 4, 2023.

The expedition involves a mix of biking, kayaking, and walking, relying solely on human-powered resources. Starting from Gaomukh, the source of the Ganga, Rency cycled from Gangotri to Devprayag before transitioning to kayaking. Negotiating white-water sections and traversing barrages in Haridwar and Rishikesh, he pushes forward, camping along the river each night.

Currently in Sangara, approximately 25 km downstream from the Narora barrage, Rency reflects on the challenges he faces. The looming uncertainty of his body's endurance adds urgency to his journey, as he races against time.

Acknowledging moments of doubt during the arduous expedition, Rency draws strength from the adversity he faced with his arthritis diagnosis. He adopts a philosophy of confronting pain with determination, proclaiming, "The only antidote to poison is poison." Through his journey, Rency seeks to inspire others facing similar conditions, emphasizing that with perseverance, dreams can be realized.

As he anticipates the challenges of tidal activity near the Farakka Barrage close to the Bangladesh border, Rency expresses confidence in his prepared team. With the finish line in sight, he remains optimistic that favorable weather conditions could allow him to complete the expedition ahead of schedule.

Rency's story serves as a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the unwavering pursuit of one's dreams in the face of adversity.

Reference:

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