Former Paramedic Takes Terminally Ill Patients Out For One Final Journey
BY THEREDNOW STAFF
Through the foundation, Veldboer drives patients to locations they ‘d like to see one last time or where they would certainly like to state a last goodbye.
With lots of individuals selecting to stay inside, it means Veldboer is able to obtain out and regarding with people.
As well as seeing nature, one non-mobile client asked to be given the possibility to claim a last goodbye to his cherished animal equine as well as one more asked for a journey to see his watercraft.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has implemented an ‘intelligent lockdown’, meaning only businesses that involve direct contact, such as barbers and hairdressers, have been told to shut up shop.
Residents have also been advised to stay at home but are allowed out as long as people stay at least 1.5 metres apart.
With many people choosing to stay indoors, it means Veldboer is able to get out and about with patients.
He said that he is now facing unprecedented demand for dying patients asking to be taken to see tulip fields in bloom.
Veldboer told the Daily Mail: “We fulfil wishes even now with the coronavirus. We are not in a complete lockdown so we are able to make those wishes come true.
“We can go to open spaces, to flower gardens, to an empty zoo, a park, a lot of people want to see the sea, it’s not forbidden.
“As long as we go to open places and there are not many people around, just one or two with the patient, we are fine.”
As well as visiting nature, one non-mobile patient asked to be given the chance to say a last goodbye to his beloved pet horse and another requested a trip to see his boat.
Veldboer originally came up with the idea for the foundation while he was transferring a patient between hospitals and was hit with a delay.
To pass the time he asked the person if there was any where they would like to go, to which they told him they would like to go and see Rotterdam Harbour one last time, which they did.
One year later, he set up the foundation and has been working at it ever since.