Riding his lawnmower from Toolleen to Canberra was just one more battle for Warren Acott, who has motor neurone disease.
The 800km route and a brief stay in hospital in Wagga could not stop the truck driver known as "Wozza" from travelling to Capital Hill to raise awareness of the nerve-damage disease.
"Hopefully we can achieve something out of (this trip) for the people in the community and for future generations (affected by MND) so they can come see this place," he said.
Wozza meets the PM
The long road to Parliament House began at a pub in Toolleen near Heathcote on Monday, March 11 and ended with a welcome from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Thursday, March 21.
Mr Albanese shook hands with Mr Acott and his daughter Belinda in the Prime Minister's Courtyard at Parliament House, congratulating Mr Acott on his "amazing achievement".
You’ve inspired so many people, Warren. Thank you for sharing your story.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) March 21, 2024
Mr Acott said more needed to be done to raise awareness of the disease.
"It's not your problem and it's not my problem - it's everyone's problem," he told the prime minister.
MND an insidious disease
Two Australians a day are diagnosed with MND despite a majority of people not knowing what it is until diagnosis, MND Australia research shows.
Another two Australians a day die from the disease.
MND refers to a group of diseases that affect nerve cells known as motor neurons that become damaged over time.
Early signs or symptoms can vary from person to person and worsen in time, MND Australia says, with an average life expectancy of two to three years once started.
Stumbling feet, trouble holding objects and slurred speech can appear in the early stages of the yet-to-be-cured disease.
There is no single test currently available to diagnose someone with the disease.
Australian Associated Press
