The Canadian 2020 Paralympic team will be bringing a piece of Mississauga with them for the upcoming summer games in Tokyo. Thanks to the city’s own Paul DeRosa, whose song Shine has been announced as the official theme song for the team.

Created in collaboration with CBC/Radio-Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) Shine is a trailblazer, becoming the first-ever song to be used as the official anthem for the team.

“The whole purpose of the song is to bring more public awareness to people who are living with a disability and highlight them as athletes,” said DeRosa.

But becoming the first theme song wasn’t always the plan that DeRosa had in mind for Shine. Originally written 15 years ago as an acoustic rendition, he used it as a tribute to his cousin, Pat Ferrari, who was left paralyzed after a car accident at two-years old.

After revisiting it some years later, DeRosa knew that the positive message behind Shine could be used to celebrate to Paralympic athletes. And so, he began the journey of sharing it with the rest of Canada. His first call? Martin Richard of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, who, to DeRosa’s surprise agreed with him on the impact of the song.

“I couldn’t believe it, two years (before) I was sitting in my basement editing Paralympic video footage to the song and the CPC was at the top of my list to call and it finally came together.”

From there, the song was reworked and recorded with a full-piece band at the CBC Studio in Toronto over three weeks. First having DeRosa on vocals and then bringing in Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila, who recorded it both in English and French. “(Avila) and the band were just amazing,” DeRosa said.

Now as the country gears up for the games, taking place in August 2020 (and Shine is getting radio play), DeRosa is preparing for another adventure; performing live in Tokyo.

“I’m lucky enough for the song to be a part of history, for me and my heart, it’s huge.”