Dying wish comes true: Dutch woman with ALS sees Rembrandts

AMSTERDAM  — A Dutch charity has granted a terminally ill woman's dying wish, wheeling her into Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum on a special bed for a private viewing of an immensely popular exhibition of Rembrandt paintings.

The 78-year-old woman, who suffers from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, was among three terminally ill patients taken to the museum this week by the Ambulance Wish Foundation.

Kees Veldboer, a former ambulance driver, established the foundation in 2007 and has since helped nearly 6,000 people fulfill their dying wishes.

The terminally ill patients visited the museum after hours, avoiding the crowds who have flocked to see the blockbuster Rembrandt show.

Veldboer said Thursday the woman, whose name wasn't released, "was very happy to be able to enjoy it in peace for the last time."