He is just 22. But older will not be older from Veghel either. Three and a half years ago he had a heavy car accident. Since then, the boy is not able to do anything anymore and there is no hope for recovery. He will be put asleep on Tuesday. On Saturday afternoon, more than a hundred trucks and cars with heavy motorbikes came together for a farewell trip at the care center where he lives.
When the first truck runs past Zorgcentrum De Watersteeg, a big smile appears on Leandro’s face. He can’t talk anymore. But he visibly enjoys the tour organized for him. And that touches his family. “I see that he is enjoying plenty,” says step brother Jan Zeggelaar. “That comes in with all of us.”
“To see his smile again, a lot does.”
Leandro rode a tree with his car 3.5 years ago. He was in a coma for a long time, communication with the boy has not been possible since then. That is why his parents have now decided to let him go. To see Leandro enjoying it again is very special for the family. “That comes in all of us,” says Jan with a lump in his throat. “Because this is what we still have, his smile. We could always enjoy that to see it again, does a lot.”
The tour was organized by Tom Berkers, the mentor of Leandro’s old school. He had a special bond with the boy. “When I heard the news of his accident, I thought it was very intense. Now, more than three and a half years later, it has not gotten better. If the choice is made to quit, it will do not do anything except this except this.”
“This is the last thing you can do for him.”
More than a hundred drivers brought Leandro a final greeting. Some even got out to shake him. Many of them had mixed feelings. “A nice feeling, but also very sad,” explains driver Ben Willemse. “It’s a tribute to that boy. Because this is the last thing you can do for him.” “It’s such a moving story. I have a lump of it in my throat. We want to give that boy the best day of his life,” adds Floris ten Doesschate.
And that mission seems to have passed. With a radiant Leandro next to him, step brother Jan can only say one thing. “You will never forget this again. This is fantastic.”
