It is not easy to roll a gurney through the forest—but that’s precisely what a team of firefighters did for a hospice patient that wanted to visit the great outdoors one last time.
For several years, Edward Reis had been an avid park ranger who longed for the greenery of Washington. Sadly, the self-proclaimed nature lover also had multiple sclerosis, and the disease forced him to spend his final years in hospice care.
During his stay at the Evergreen Health Hospice in Kirkland, the 62-year-old patient wasn't able go outside until March 2014 when he confessed to a hospice staffer his wish to take one last trip through one of his beloved local parks.
According to the Good News Network, the staffers immediately jumped into action so they could grant Reid’s wish. After they called the Snohomish County Fire District and recruiting the help of volunteer firefighters, Reid was taken on a peaceful voyage through Meadowdale Beach Park in Edmonds.
The firefighters carried Reid in his gurney through the forest for three hours. They’d periodically stop at creeks and clearings so Reid could take in the scenery. They also collected cedar branches for the ex-park ranger to smell.
Reid passed away shortly after his outing. However, his caregivers hope his story will help others appreciate the emotional fulfillment of hospice care.
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