Waldemar fulfills his last dream: an unforgettable day in Travemünde

Waldemar fulfills his last dream: an unforgettable day in Travemünde

The ASB Wish Car Lower Saxony fulfills one of the last dreams of Waldemar, a 64-year-old man from Lower Saxony who suffers from the incurable disease ALS. In the fall of 2024, he was diagnosed with a condition that robs him of control over his body. Today Waldemar lives in an intensive care shared apartment in Göttingen and only has limited communication options, which are limited to eye movements and slight nodding. But the support of his loving family is a great support for him during this difficult time, as the ASB Facebook page documents.

Thanks to the initiative of the ASB Wunschwagen, Waldemar was able to have an unforgettable day in Travemünde. Accompanied by volunteers, including Basti and Christiane as well as his carer Martin, the terminally ill man made his way to the Baltic Sea. The transport was medically covered, which was a great relief for the family and those accompanying them.

An unforgettable farewell

When he arrived in Travemünde, Waldemar experienced a day full of joy and relaxation. He laughed loudly and enjoyed a day at the beach, eating delicious cod and secretly sharing chips with his granddaughter Amalia. An ice cream on the pier rounded off this special experience and provided striking, carefree memories. This trip was much more than just an excursion - it was an emotional farewell that gave Waldemar the opportunity to spend one last, valuable day with his loved ones.

The idea behind the wish car comes from the Netherlands and is now being implemented throughout Germany by organizations such as the ASB. There are 24 fully equipped vehicles available throughout Germany that make it possible to take seriously ill people to places that mean a lot to them. This is how volunteers like Tinka Beller describe their experiences: The emotional intensity of these trips often brings a lot of laughter and memories.

The meaning of last wishes

What is particularly noteworthy is that these trips are free for users and are financed through donations. In 2023, for example, 61 last wishes could be fulfilled in Schleswig-Holstein. Often these are simple things, like spending time with loved ones or enjoying a crab sandwich by the sea. Unfortunately, many trips have to be canceled because the passengers' health suddenly deteriorates. The volunteer companions must be the first to build a relationship of trust in order to enable the people affected to have a carefree day.

Waldemar's moving story shows how important it is to fulfill people's wishes in the twilight of their lives. The ASB Wish Cart helps make these matters of the heart a reality and gives seriously ill people the opportunity to say goodbye to their world, surrounded by the people who love them. These precious moments are important not only for the passengers, but also for the relatives who want to preserve these memories for the future.

Find out more about the initiative and the positive experiences behind the Wish Car in the reports News38, Deutschlandfunk culture and Welt.de.