- 37-year-old Martina from Austria was terminally ill and wanted to see her daughter Ronja’s first gymnastics competition.
- The “Rolling Angels” association brought her from the hospital directly to the gym on a stretcher.
- Nine days after the trip – which also included a final visit to her Haflinger – Martina died.
A few months ago, 37-year-old Martina was diagnosed with a fatal illness that was affecting her more strength every day takes. In the palliative care ward she expressed a touching heartfelt wish that she wanted to fulfill before her end approached, as the portal “5min.at” reports.
Ronja, the woman’s 12-year-old daughter, had been enthusiastically participating in a gymnastics club for over a year. That’s why mother Martina really wanted to be there at the first big competition in Steyr, Upper Austria this important moment still to experience. Thanks to the “Rolling Angels” association, the wish could become reality.
With a stretcher straight into the gym
Although the illness had already sapped Martina’s strength, the volunteer wish-fulfillers Julia and Florian found her full of anticipation and hope when they picked up the 37-year-old from the hospital. Together they went to the gym, where there was already a lot going on. “We were able to bring her directly into the hall with the stretcher, right into the middle of the colorful action,” report Julia and Florian.
When Ronja had her big moment, she was nervous, but also overjoyed that her mom was actually in the audience. The 12-year-old proudly showed what she had learned over the last few weeks. In the end it was enough for ninth place, but the shared experience was clearly in the foreground.
Horse petted one last time
Martina’s energy was visibly dwindling, but she still had one last wish. She wanted to go back to her horse, a Haflinger that had accompanied her for years. In the evening we went to the farm. It was already dark, but the animal came to her immediately. Martina stroked it and ran her fingers through its mane.
Back in the hospital she was exhausted but happy. She thanked me again and again for this day. Nine days later, Martina closed her eyes forever. “Our condolences go out to all the relatives!” says the association on Facebook.
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Reto Bollmann (bre), born in 1991, has been supporting the 20 Minuten news desk as editor since the end of 2021. He has a preference for political, scientific and historical topics.
