Wilfried Kruska: One last wish – his first flight comes true!

Wilfried Kruska: One last wish – his first flight comes true!

Lüneburg.Wilfried Kruska, a 57-year-old man from Adendorf, recently had a heartfelt wish come true: he experienced his very first flight. Despite severe health challenges that mean doctors can only provide him with limited support, Kruska remains optimistic and continues to set goals. “I want to be free,” he says of his dream of one day sitting on an airplane.

His life wasn't always easy. After a long struggle with alcohol addiction, he managed to turn things around and pursue new goals. Not only did he find a job and pay off his debts, but he also gained a new perspective on life. Nevertheless, the dream of flying remained denied him. “I worked hard and there was never any time for it,” explains Wilfried. However, as his illness increased and he mourned his deceased partner, he realized that time was running out.

The desire to fly

Wilfried has made it his mission to make his last wishes come true. His friend and neighbor quickly contacted the DRK Lüneburg to activate the dream vehicle. This initiative aims to give sick people unique experiences. The help and volunteerism of the dream mobile team gave Wilfried new hope.

During the initial conversation with the dream team, which included nurse Marita Vestweber, Wilfried's wish for a flight was initiated. “It's not just a flight, it's an expression of freedom,” says Vestweber. And so a wave of support began when the Wunschmobil team contacted the Lüneburg air sports club.

However, there were some hurdles to overcome. The originally planned flight date was postponed due to poor weather conditions. On Sunday, October 20th, visibility was finally good enough and the long-awaited moment had finally arrived. Wilfried was visibly excited, but also full of anticipation.

The first flight

Wilfried finally took off under the gentle rumble of the Cessna 206, a small sports aircraft. The pilot, Gregor Szielasko, led the plane into the sky and gave Wilfried breathtaking views of the landscape. “Great!” was Wilfried’s first reaction at the start. The feeling of flying filled him with joy. “Everything seems so small, like a model train,” he enthused.

The flight time was also something special for the experienced pilot. Szielasko had never had a guest like Wilfried on board. “This is a very special experience for me too,” he said. The highlight of the flight was a surprise maneuver over one of Hamburg's airports, where the tower controllers turned on the festive lights for the two extraordinary passengers.

After a smooth flight of about 40 minutes, the pilot gently landed the Cessna back on the ground. Wilfried got off the plane full of emotions. “The vastness... It was really great to be able to look into the distance like that,” he said touchedly and thanked the entire team of the dream vehicle for making such a valuable moment possible for him.

A small meteorite that he received as a gift along with other passengers symbolizes not only the experience, but also the anticipation and dreams that still lie dormant within him. Wilfried plans to visit the Alps soon to see the majestic mountains - another dream he wants to realize.

Wilfried Kruska showed that life can be beautiful despite difficult circumstances, especially if you receive support from the community. The day of his flight will remain a treasured memory for him and the helping hands on this special project. More information about the vehicle of your choice and further support can be found at www.landezeitung.de.