Hospice Workers Get Forest Ranger Into the Woods One Last Time

Covered in a blanket and cap, a former forest ranger was wheeled into a Washington park, his final wish to be fulfilled after years of illness.

When he was healthy, Ed had been a forest ranger. He described to a chaplain at the Evergreen Health Hospice how he had lived for the outdoors. After hearing about his longtime desire, compassionate hospice workers made it happen with the help of EMS workers at the local fire department.

Here is the description from their Facebook page, which also posted the photo:

When the Chaplain learned of Ed’s wish, he brought it to the attention of the Hospice team, one of whom suggested getting in touch with a local fire department that might agree to transport Ed for this final visit to the outdoors. Curt contacted the Snohomish County Fire District in Edmonds, whose staff was happy to help.

In March, Curt and the RN Case Manager, Leigh Gardner, accompanied Ed and several members of the Snohomish County Fire District on an outing to Meadowdale Beach Park in Edmonds… The group took Ed up and down the trails, bringing him the scents of the forest by touching the fragrant growth and bringing their hands close to Ed’s face.

”Ed was delighted. So were all the professionals who accompanied him. People sometimes think that working in hospice care is depressing. This story demonstrates the depths of the rewards that caring for the dying can bring.”

“Being a Hospice nurse is an incredible gift and beautiful, compassionate people do this work,” said Misty Thornem who works at Evergreen Hospice. “(This is) a wonderful example of the deep caring that is offered to help people LIVE our their last days.