Brigitte (61) looks at the sea of heads. She sits very still on a gurney on the balcony of the box. Hand in mouth, emotion in eyes. The crowd trembles with anticipation as the first guitar chords of the hit “An Angel” ring at Hallenstadion in Zurich. It is Brigitte’s last wish to see her favorite band live again. Terminally ill.
The Kelly Family sings “Sometimes I wish I was an angel” in English. Artificial snow is dripping on the audience. The six siblings are wearing red velvet, and a huge Christmas tree glows on the screen behind them. On Saturday evening, probably the most famous family of musicians stopped in Zurich for their Christmas tour.
The Schaffhausen resident also remembers that Brigitte’s passion for the Kelly Family began around Christmas. “My husband and I were at his concert at the time.” He didn’t understand most of the English lyrics. “But I just knew: This is my music.” That was over 30 years ago.
Brigitte’s favorite song: «El Camino». Seeing the Kelly Family alive again tonight means a lot to him. “Of course I would have other wishes too – for example, to spend a few more happy years with my husband.” Diagnosis: lung and liver cancer. In addition, the branches in the spine. Doctors gave him until the end of the year. Brigitte said, “But I’m still here!” says.
400+ last wishes
The man who made this evening possible is also in prison: Petar Sabovic (58). He founded Wunschambulance six years ago. An association that fulfills the dying wish of people with terminal illness. With his ambulance and four qualified health volunteers, he picks people up from their homes and takes them back to where they want to be.
What do you wish for when life is over? “Some people want to go to the zoo again, swim in the lake again, or watch their son’s football game,” Sabovic says. She remembers a 23-year-old woman who madly wanted to be the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding. “It is sad to see that he will never experience all this himself.” But overall the atmosphere is nice, even exuberant. He and his team of volunteers grant one or two wishes a week. free. The association is funded by donations.
Sabovic was inspired by the Dutch wish fulfillers Pendant Ambulance Wens. “I thought we needed just that in Switzerland.” Many people who are palliative, meaning terminally ill, sit at home or in hospital beds for long periods of time and are no longer able to move. Renting an ambulance for a trip costs a lot. “This is where we come in,” Sabovic says. Half of this is the patient or their relatives who ask about it. Being able to see one’s own mother or best friend again outside the hospital bed is very important to many relatives. The other half of wishes are requested through care institutions.
Sabovic wants to encourage people. Eliminate the fear of saying the wrong thing or not daring to ask sick people what they want. “With a little support, almost anything is possible.” By this he also means the donors who support his association through crowdfunding. Still: Sabovic admits that surviving financially is not easy. It received only two-thirds of the donations needed for the coming year. Wish ambulance has already fulfilled over 400 last wishes.
“We rarely think about death”
“This is Jimmy, he just got a haircut,” Brigitte knows, pointing to brother Kelly, who is currently sitting on stage with a guitar. She wants to sing a song for her sister Barby Kelly. She passed away unexpectedly last year. “Maybe you think it’s inappropriate tonight,” Jimmy says in German. “Christmas is the answer to death.” A sea of lighters and cell phone screens light up the concert hall.
One of the helpers leans over Brigitte’s gurney and puts her legs on the bed. Mary Arpagaus (37) has been working as a nurse’s assistant for over ten years. It’s been a few months since Sabovic and his team fulfilled their mother’s dying wish. He has been a member of Wunschambulance ever since.
Arpagaus says it’s an incredible feeling to be able to stand on top of a mountain again with his mother. He was grateful. For giving it back to his mother. However, we are also grateful for the ambulance request that helped Sabovic and his family in this difficult situation.
Being there as a nurse tonight triggers mixed feelings. “The loss continues to hurt,” says Arpagaus. But: “We rarely think about our own death. This is a huge gift.” Before making any decisions, she asks herself: Would she do the same if she had 10 days to live? After the trip, her mother was happier than she had been in a long time. “She said: It’s nice to have such a wish come true. But every person has small happiness in their lifetime. should try to find it in things.”
to the beauty of life
The indoor stadium shakes. The Kelly Family is releasing electric guitars. Drums and bass pierce every cell of your body, feet tapping, hands clapping. A live concert feels twice as lively when you have the thought of death in your mind. “Of course it’s not easy,” Brigitte said before the concert began. “But that’s why I don’t want to sit in the corner and cry.” She sings along with “El Camino”.
From the stage, members of the Kelly Family chant “It’s New Year’s Eve”. “Let’s just hope it brings good things.” Brigitte looks at the crowd. A father is bouncing around his young son on his shoulders. She people jump from their chairs, dance and cheer. A hug, a deep kiss. Heat, rays, laughter. In the crowd, many people are raising their cups and clinking glasses. To the beauty of life.