Colourful character “Auntie Caterina” drives sick children to and from hospital in her technicolour taxicab, all free of charge!
Joyriding with the Fairy Godmother of Florence and her technicolour taxi
For the past 17 years, Auntie Caterina, a larger-than-life Florentine taxi driver, has turned off the meter to accompany child cancer patients to hospital visits, or simply to give them joy rides around Florence in her cab full of colours, toys, flowers, pictures and puppets.
The story of Auntie Caterina and “Milano 25” is one of the most touching tales in Florence
On the streets of Florence, Italy, there is a rather special taxi that has been rocking the city since 2001. This taxi is full of colours, toys, flowers, pictures and puppets. Driven by Aunt Caterina, a cross between Patch Adams and Mary Poppins, she is adorned in colourful clothes herself, a big hat full of flowers, and spreads a contagious joy wherever she goes.
The story of Auntie Caterina and her trusty taxi, “Milano 25”, is one of the most touching tales in Florence.
Just before Caterina Bellandi’s partner, Stefano, passed away in 2001 due to a tumour, he gave Caterina his most valuable possession, Milano 25, his taxi in Florence, and made her promise that she would drive Milano 25.
Instead of surrendering to the pain of the loss, Caterina found the strength to begin again and to become “Aunt Caterina”, dedicating herself to the children who are being treated in the Instituto Meyer, “The superheroes” as she calls them. “because in order to fight and win against these illnesses they have to do extraordinary things”.
A sign says “It’s not the destination that’s important, it’s the journey you travel to get there” and she carries an umbrella, symbolising the ability to fly beyond fear.
Cab rides with Milano 25 are free of charge for the young patients of the paediatric hospital Meyer and their families. Aunt Caterina not only shares with them these car rides, but also other moments inside and outside of the hospital, in order to give them some enjoyment and to support them in the most difficult times of their young lives.
Auntie Caterina wants to celebrate the memory of Stefano by spreading joy, life and hope every day.
Visit Auntie Caterina’s website Milano25
Source: IlGuelfoBianco
Auntie Caterina puts a positive spell on children
Her creative idea initially ran into city rules — reported the New York Times in December.
Taxis usually look alike in Florence, and hers carries unusual items, like a stuffed figure of Disney’s dwarf Grumpy on the passenger seat.
The local authorities also objected to the pictures she glued to the windows, saying they could hamper the driver’s view. After getting multiple tickets, she complained vigorously.
“She is an extraordinary engine of solidarity and I felt her city should help her a little,” said Eugenio Giani, now president of Tuscany’s regional cabinet, who interceded for her with the municipal police.
He is planning to recognise Ms. Bellandi as “Tuscany’s Solidarity Ambassador,” an honorific title signaling the region’s institutional backing.
“She is capable of involving ill children in anything, from soccer matches to trips abroad, and she does it from one child to another, nonstop,” Mr. Giani said. “She puts a positive spell on them.”
Source: NYTimes
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You want to help. Your friend just admitted her child to the hospital, and it’s serious. You don’t know what to do, but you want to do something. “As the mother of a medically fragile child, I want to pass along some hints from my own experience — those things that helped us through the scariest days. I hope this helps those who need TLC from you today.” — Dr. Karin Smithson, vía HuffingtonPost