Rogelio Franco

MANILA - A handicapped biker beat the odds after he explored the country on his bicycle, inspiring fellow persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Rogelio Franco, 33, lost his right hand in a work accident in an electric fan factory in Cavite on March 31, 2014.

The tragic accident, however, did not prevent Franco from striving to find a new job to support his sibling. The young man also became an active churchgoer.

Franco launched his advocacy of touring the country in Luneta Park in Manila on June 24, 2015.

He has gone to Bulacan, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Bataan, Olongapo, Tuguegarao and Cabanatuan.

Franco rode a ferry to push through with his journey to Bacolod, Dumaguete, Cebu, Mindoro, Boracay Island, Matnog and parts of Mindanao.

He used a prosthetic hand to navigate along unpaved roads.

Touched, various individuals who saw Franco's story on social media provided the biker with shelter and food. Many of his friends also joined him on some parts of his journey.

The biker hopes that he was able to encourage other PWDs to never give up.

"Huwag tayong sususko. Lagi tayong kumapit sa Panginoon at lagi tayong maging open-minded," he said.

Franco also hopes that his travel also be able to fight workplace discrimination against PWDs. -- report from Joan Panopio, ABS-CBN News