SCOTT Chapman\u2019s inspiration to establish the Royal Flying Doctor Service\u2019s Memory Lane program struck in the early hours of the morning while he was visiting the USA.<\/p>\n
The RFDS Victoria CEO was jetlagged and unable to sleep at 3am when he turned the TV on to a documentary about Rotterdam-based paramedic and founder of the Ambulance Wish Foundation, Kees Veldboer.<\/p>\n
Mr Veldboer was transporting patients nearing the end of their life to their favourite locations for one last time, bringing them and their families a sense of joy during difficult times.<\/p>\n
Now Memory Lane is providing that same opportunity to Victorians, and Bendigo was recently made one of only two sites for the program in the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to make people\u2019s wishes or memories come to life at a very delicate time,\u201d Mr Chapman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about dignity and recognition of people\u2019s contribution to the world over their lifetime. We\u2019re just trying to play a small part in that.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the RFDS has conducted similar journeys for patients before the official launch of the program earlier this year, Memory Lane is a dedicated, volunteer-run and donor-funded service.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do believe that if you\u2019ve got capability and capacity to do something, then you\u2019re honour bound to do it,\u201d Mr Chapman said.<\/p>\n
The two Memory Lane vehicles based in Bendigo and Essendon have been fitted out so they don\u2019t resemble the interior of an ambulance, giving travellers a comfortable space for their trip.<\/p>\n
RFDS patient transport officer and Memory Lane volunteer Ian McKenzie said the program meant people\u2019s final memories can be made at their favourite and personally significant locations.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing involved with something like Memory Lane is one of the greatest shows of respect you can give to a person in their later days,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you see the family\u2019s reaction to this person in their last moments being so happy or being fulfilled, that impact on the family lasts forever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also a fulltime firefighter with Fire Rescue Victoria and supporter of the Starlight Children\u2019s Foundation, Mr McKenzie said volunteering with Memory Lane was one of the most humane things a person could do.<\/p>\n
\u201cPersonally, I can honestly say I feel honoured to be involved with the program because the impact is just so enormous. I love it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SCOTT Chapman\u2019s inspiration to establish the Royal Flying Doctor Service\u2019s Memory Lane program struck in the early hours of the morning while he was visiting the USA. The RFDS Victoria CEO was jetlagged and unable to sleep at 3am when he turned the TV on to a documentary about Rotterdam-based paramedic and founder of the […]<\/p>\n