The Dhaka Times Desk Ambulance driver Kees Velbor fulfills the last wishes of dying passengers. The job he is working in requires him to visit the beach, museum, zoo, aquarium, playground and church or flower garden regularly every day.
But the 60-year-old from the Netherlands is no tourist guide. Critically ill, who can never move without the help of others, for more than a year he has been fulfilling the last wishes of such patients before they die. Keys Wellbore told the media about some of his 'last trips'.
Velbor told the BBC that one of the events he particularly remembers was a very quick trip to the Vatican in Rome. Kees Velbor also runs a foundation to fulfill the last wishes of terminally ill patients.
Referring to the last wishes of the dying travelers, Velbor said it was around 2013. Then a bedridden 60-year-old woman told him that she wanted to meet the Pope.
Seeing a possibility to fulfill the patient's last wish, he took the patient to the Vatican, 1600 km away. After entering the Vatican, he was placed on a stretcher at the front of the visitor queue (facing St. Peter's Basilica).
There were others in wheelchairs waiting to meet the Pope. But the woman was the only person lying on the stretcher. As Velbor had expected, he fell into the Pope's eye. Then the Pope himself came down and spoke to him. He even touched her and held her hand for a while!
The Pope blessed him and prayed for his recovery. The Pope wishes him to be well in the next life. The woman died a few days after meeting the Pope.
Velbor works as a paramedic and ambulance driver. He said that he has been watching death very closely for many years. It doesn't affect him much though.
Most of the people he helps are in their seventies, eighties or nineties. But sometimes young patients also have to help him.
He said, handling these young patients is quite difficult. He has helped fulfill people's last wishes despite covid restrictions.
He and his wife started providing this service in addition to working as paramedics for the first two years. But as the number of requests that came to them increased, he quit his job and devoted himself fully to the work of the foundation.
He said that till now it has been possible to take around 15 thousand people to their preferred place through our foundation. Velbor said, personally I have provided this service to thousands of people by driving an ambulance myself.
Things to do to prevent Corona virus
# stay at home all the time.
# Follow the rules and use mask when going out for emergency.
# three-layer surgical mask can be washed if desired.
# wash clothes after coming home from outside. Or hang it without shaking for at least four hours.
# Wash hands thoroughly (for at least 20 seconds) with soap or liquid before coming outside.
# plastic PPE or eyes, mouth, head after single use
Of course it can be washed thoroughly with detergent and dried.
# Wear PPE made of cloth or clean as described.
# Use a head cap that completely covers the hair.
# Those who have sneeze cough should follow all the rules promulgated by the government. Also, wash hands as directed before and after handling food items, keys, switches, mice, remote controls, mobiles, watches, computer desks, TVs, etc. and after using the bathroom. Those who have dry hands use Moisture after washing their hands. Soap or hand liquid can be used. Why can this virus remain in the crackle (cracked part) of dry hands? Avoid using highly alkaline soaps or detergents.
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