It was a spectacular afternoon for the residents of the Oostergouw care home in Zaandam: about fifty residents were allowed to ride on the motorbikes and trikes that the 2Wheels4Wings foundation had brought. The day was extra special for 89-year-old Letty van Daalen: she used to ride a motorcycle herself.
When Letty decided to ride a motorcycle herself one blue Monday, a whole new world opened up for her: “Motorcycling is freedom. I really liked that, especially when I was younger. You are alone, you can ride fast or soft. But one day it will come to an end.”
So it’s good that she can now go on the back, together with her daughter. A gentleman behind her has just been and is resting for a while. It should have taken him all afternoon. “It’s for anyone with a disability or like me with an illness, heaven opens up. As soon as he started driving, my heart started beating. Then you’re in a completely different world.”
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Sandra Mulder-Velseboer of Evean Oostergouw enjoys watching the residents. She tells that there is a summer program, including a campsite in the garden. “They always look forward to the summer here. Where it is a bit quieter in other houses because everyone goes on holiday, we have a very extensive summer program so that if they need permanent staff there is a nice program.”
Meanwhile, Letty returns from her ride. She really enjoyed it: “I think it’s quite an experience, you know that? That I can still experience this, I’m 89. That’s something!”