PHOTOS: MDA’s Make A Wish Ambulance Fulfilled Grandmother’s Wish: Attend Her Paratrooper Grandson’s Swearing-In Ceremony At The Kosel

(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

MDA’s Make a Wish Ambulance is an initiative that aims to fulfill the wishes of those battling terminal illnesses and lost their mobility. Every wish is planned carefully and in collaboration with the patient’s doctor to accommodate with his or her needs. It is also done under full medical supervision of appropriately trained staff. Last Thursday, September 14, 2017, MDA fulfilled the wish of Ruthie Yulzeri, a 69-year-old resident of Rehovot who is battling a serious illness. Ruthie wanted to arrive at the Kosel to attend the swearing-in ceremony of her paratrooper son.

MDA’s Make a Wish Ambulance arrived at Ruthie’s house in Rehovot with driver and EMT, Doron Harap, MDA paramedic, Tal Peleg and MDA EMTs Hila Ratzker and Eden Asulin. The ambulance transported Ruthie to the Kosel, where the ceremony took place. Ruthie was touched by her arrival at the ceremony. She met Matan, her grandson, saluted him, and watched the entire ceremony while the ambulance team was by her side. At the end of the ceremony the team drove her back to her home with an emotional experience she will not be quick to forget.

“It was a very moving experience,” said Tal Peleg, MDA paramedic who was on the Make a Wish Ambulance team that day. “Recently I joined the Make a Wish Ambulance team and this is was one of my first ‘wishes’, an experience I will never forget. Throughout the ride we listened to Ruthie’s stories about her family and when we arrived at the Kosel her excitement was apparent. We were excited as well. I am honored to take part in this project and help a woman whose only wish was to see her paratrooper son swear in to the IDF – to provide a patient with the opportunity to fulfill a dream and enjoy happy moments amid their battle.”

MDA paramedic, Yonat Daskal, who’s in charge of the MDA Make a Wish Ambulance: “On a very short notice, we put everything together, got a team ready, and on Thursday evening I was moved to see Ruthie at the ceremony in the Kosel. We will continue to do everything in our power to fulfill the wishes of patients who need us.”

Ruthie Yulzeri, Matan’s grandmother said: “On my and my family’s behalf, I would like to thank MDA’s Make a Wish Ambulance team for enabling me to attend my beloved grandson’s, Matan, swearing-in ceremony. Please continue with your important and blessed work. A huge thank you.” Her husband, Eli, added “I am still emotional and would like to thank MDA and the Make a Wish Ambulance team. This was a wonderful experience, emotional, and more than successful. Continue with your great work, and keep making wishes come true.”

Matan Blumenfeld (grandson): “I am very moved that my grandmother got to attend my swearing-in ceremony. I am proud to swear in to the IDF and become part of the paratroopers.”