A momentous achievement: Sue Acott (left), CEO of MND Australia Clare Sullivan, Fred Molluso, CEO of MND Victoria Kate Johnson, MND patient Maxine Gee, Warren Acott (bottom left) and Belinda Acott met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) to discuss making MND a notifiable disease.
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Toolleen resident Warren ‘Woz’ Acott completed his 800 km odyssey to Canberra aboard his trusty ride-on mower to advocate for Motor Neuron Disease research.
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The initiative, Mow Down for MND, gained enormous support from across Northern Victoria, with Woz reaching Canberra on Thursday, March 21 following a 12-day tour.
Woz and his group of supporters, including Echuca resident and fellow MND sufferer Fred Molluso, got to speak to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the hopes of making MND a notifiable disease in Australia.
“Meeting the prime minister went really well; I believe he listened, and I think we opened his eyes a bit about exactly what goes on,” Woz said.
“I think the point we got across to the Prime Minister is just how humiliating it can be.”
Woz was also very grateful and overcome with the support he received, particularly when visiting the towns on his journey to Canberra.
“The best part of it was the incredible people with so many MND stories, it was quite overwhelming,” he said.
“It was mind-boggling. It’s incredible how in touch the community is, but perhaps it’s how out of touch the government has been.”
An Odyssey: Woz recieves a warm welcome from supporters as he arrives at Parliament House.
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Woz’s intention in making MND a notifiable disease is to promote research for it and make it easier for sufferers to get treatment.
Having suffered from the disease, Woz and other MND sufferers wanted to spearhead the approach as they don’t wish for anyone else to deal with the difficulties that come from it.
“We need to find an answer to it because there is none; it’s a horrible disease,” he said.
“If it becomes a notifiable disease, they can keep a record of everyone who has it, and there’s more research and details of where it comes from, it will make a huge difference.”
Mr Molluso joined Woz and his fleet halfway through his journey and has been instrumental in attending events to raise awareness for MND.
He pointed out how little the public knows about MND and that other countries are a lot more developed when treating the disease.
Brothers in arms: Fred Molluso and Woz take a break in Yass, the final stop of the tour before reaching Canberra.
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“Not many people know about it until they or someone they know are affected by it,” he said.
“Australia, compared to many other countries like the United States and Europe, is so far behind with medications, research and things they can do for you.”
Mr Molluso was inspired by Woz when he first met him at an MND group meeting in Bendgio six months ago.
He quickly jumped on board when Woz had the idea to ride to Canberra on his mower, primarily to raise awareness for MND.
“Waz rang me a couple of weeks ago and told me he wanted to ride his mower all the way to Canberra to get the politicians on board and make it a notifiable disease,” he said.
“He rode his mower because he lives on a property in Toolleen and that is his mode of transport around the property.”
If you wish to support Mow Down MND, there is a petition to make MND a notifiable disease with the closing date for signatures on Wednesday, April 17.
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