A childhood survivor of stroke who has already travelled more than 10,000 kilometres around Australia on a recumbent trike is preparing to tackle his final leg of the journey, which will lead him to the steps of Federal Parliament.
To mark the beginning of Childhood Stroke Awareness Week, Tommy Quick will ride from Howlong to Canberra over eight days and cover a gruelling 450 kilometres.
Along the way, Tommy intends to meet key decision makers and demand action for childhood stroke which impacts up to 120 babies and 400 children each year.
Now 32, Tommy experienced a life-altering stroke at the age of 12, but this hasn't deterred him from achieving great things.
Tommy began his journey back in 2021, looking to travel to Australia's four most extreme points, but he was involved in a serious car crash in South Australia which resulted in a lengthy hospital stay. Since then, he's made it to the country's four most extreme points, and last year even ticked Tasmania off the bucket list.
"I plan on ending this epic journey with a bang and arriving on the steps of Parliament House to demand action for childhood stroke, it's a major issue and it deserves far more attention," Tommy said.
"I will be calling for greater awareness, better diagnosis and treatment, and more investment in research into causes of childhood stroke, which are different to those in adult strokes.
"This may be the final leg of the ride, but I have no plans on slowing down or taking a rest. It's my responsibility to ensure more people and practitioners can quickly identify a stroke in a child," Tommy said.
Stroke is one of the top 10 causes of death among children, and 50 per cent of survivors of childhood stroke live with a long-term neurological impairment.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy, who will be joining Tommy on his last leg of the ride to Canberra's Parliament House, said nearly two children experience a stroke in Australia every day.
"Tommy is single-handedly raising awareness about childhood stroke. What he has already achieved is just remarkable. Tommy is a leader for young people living with a disability," Dr Murphy said.
"I couldn't be prouder to stand by Tommy's side on the steps of Parliament and call for more action, attention and funding for childhood stroke.
"We know children with disabilities are more likely to experience adverse socio-economic outcomes, including lower levels of employment and education, and higher poverty rates. This highlights the long-term economic consequences of childhood disability on individuals, their families and our community," Dr Murphy added.
To date, Tommy has raised more than $150,000 for Stroke Foundation to help raise awareness of stroke and support survivors, their families and caregivers.
