Perth woman Belinda Teh reached Busselton on Friday on her brave walk from Melbourne to the steps of Parliament House in Perth encouraging WA politicians to vote for voluntary assisted dying law.
Create a free account to read this article
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Teh lost her mum to breast cancer two months after receiving a diagnosis. Her mum was twice denied access to voluntary assisted dying by her doctors because it was not a legal option.
"The walk is in honour of my mum who died from breast cancer three years ago, she requested medical assistance to die at the end of her life," she said.
"As a result she died in total agony, so this walk is dedicated to her bravery, and I say brave because I think it is a really brave thing to ask for help.
Ms Teh said her mum's story was not uncommon and she had heard many stories from people across Australia during her walk from Melbourne.
"When this happened to me and my mum, I felt really alone and isolated and that I could not talk to anyone, I was 23 years of age at the time," she said.
"The more I have walked and talked to people, I have found it so shocking how prevalent it is, and it shouldn't be."
For the WA law to pass, Ms Teh said Western Australians who supported more compassionate end-of-life choices needed to contact their local MPs and urge them to vote for the voluntary assisted dying bill.
"Phone your MP, email them, write them a letter, go and see them," she said. "Tell them why this law matters to you, and why as your representative they must vote yes."
Ms Teh will arrive at Parliament House in Perth on Tuesday August 6 where she will be met by Premier Mark McGowan.
"I am inviting the public and supporters to walk the last kilometre of my 3,500 kilometre journey at 11.30am from Kings Park to Parliament House," she said.
She has also invited nurses to join her from 8am at Murdoch TAFE on Tuesday.
