Last wish fulfilled: Haike feels the Baltic Sea and beams with happiness!

Last wish fulfilled: Haike feels the Baltic Sea and beams with happiness!

The smell of salt in the air, the sound of the waves - for many this is paradise. But for people with serious illnesses, access to the Baltic Sea often becomes an unfulfilled dream. However, with the help of innovative and caring projects like the ASB Wish Car, these dreams are being brought to life. On the roads of northern Germany, these mobile oases are part of a wonderful story that connects people in the last phase of their lives.

Haike is one of them. On July 2, 2025, the seriously ill woman's wish to visit the Baltic Sea near Grömitz comes true. She sets out on the journey with her partner Georg and a dedicated team from the ASB-Wünschewagen. She suffers from ALS and requires around-the-clock care. But despite the challenges associated with her illness, the Baltic Sea was at its best that day: mild temperatures and a cloudless sky.

An unforgettable day by the sea

Access to the water is not easy for Haike. The cute special wheelchair and the necessary medical equipment such as ventilators make the journey easier, but getting to the water remains difficult for them. Still, she can feel the wind on her face and smell the salt air, and that's enough to make her happy. When the tour group presents her with a bright pink sweater, her eyes shine with joy.

A stop at the beach hall calms Haike down. Despite her dwindling strength, the joy she feels is palpable. “Happier than I have been in a long time,” nurse Sandy aptly remarks. Ultimately, they return home with unforgettable memories - memories that are more valuable than any trip.

Daring to wish – a trump card for quality of life

The stories of the wishing wagons are often similar and yet unique. Hanns-Rüdiger, a Berliner, is another part of this special community. He has suffered from central nervous system disease for over a decade and lives in a nursing home. For him, the ASB wish car fulfilled his dream of traveling to Zingst on the Baltic Sea for a day, a place full of memories of previous family days. The scent of the pine forests and freshly caught fish took him on a nostalgic journey.

“The visit to the beach was the highlight of the trip,” he says, and the team’s photographer captured the special moments. Today these snapshots decorate the wall of his room in the nursing home and give him strength.

Brotherly love on the Baltic Sea

Another moving example is the story of Hansi (name changed), who is terminally ill and wants to visit his brother on the Baltic Sea. Thanks to the help of the ASB wish cart, this wish can come true. With a distance of around 400 kilometers from Leipzig to the Baltic Sea coast, this not only makes his journey easier, but also ensures that he stays in barrier-free accommodation.

When they arrive in Altwarp, where the brother and his wife are already waiting for Hansi, a barbecue evening is celebrated on the terrace with a view of the harbor instead of the planned vespers. Shared memories come to life as they enjoy fish sandwiches and feel the wind around their noses. A visit to the Baltic Sea island of Usedom brings even more moments of happiness that the brothers will carry in their hearts forever.

After the way home, with a last coffee at Neuhof, one thing remains clear for everyone involved: the volunteers of the ASB Wish Cart do great work and rely on donations to continue making such unforgettable experiences possible.

Like Haike, Hanns-Rüdiger and Hansi, many experience the incomparable feeling of feeling the sea up close again. Their stories show that it is never too late to fulfill your last wish and celebrate the joy of life. The Baltic Sea is more than just a place; it is a symbol of hope, joy and the unbreakable bond of love.

Moin.de reports that Haike spent an unforgettable day on the Baltic Sea with her partner and the ASB wish car. Also Berlin-Live tells by Hanns-Rüdiger, whose wish to go to the sea came true thanks to the ASB wish car. Finally also reports Thuringia24 about Hansi, who was able to visit his brother on the Baltic Sea. The stories of these people are inspiring and show the importance of the little things in life.