Taking a stranger in a wheelchair to make his dream come true!

I came across an ad looking for someone to assist a man in a wheelchair. A trip to Riga for the Hockey World Championship. Intrigued, I reached out, and after a few messages, we arranged to meet. Despite his condition, Zdeněk is one of the biggest sports fans I’ve ever met. He’s Czech, which made things even more interesting because our trip would include watching one of hockey’s most intense rivalries: Slovakia vs. Czech Republic.

We planned a five-day stay in Riga, catching two games: Slovakia vs. the Czech Republic and the Czech Republic vs. Kazakhstan. From the very start of our journey, the energy was undeniable. 90% of the passengers on the plane were Slovaks and Czechs. Everyone was passing around beers and bottles of wine, singing and laughing. I usually hate flying, but that flight was amazing. The faces of the flight attendants when they discovered all the empty bottles? Priceless.

After a layover in Göteborg, we finally landed in Riga. We checked into the Hotel right in the city center. Exhausted from the 10-hour journey, there was only one thing left to do that night: find the nearest bar and have a beer.

Zdeněk and I sat on a terrace, soaking in the atmosphere. Riga was flooded with Slovak fans. I always knew Slovaks were some of the best hockey fans in the world, but seeing it firsthand was something else. Slovak flags were everywhere and people were greeting each other like old friends. Of course, there were also the not-so-proud moments like a guy wrapped in a Slovak flag lying completely drunk on the ground.

As we sat there, something unexpected happened. I saw Craig Ramsay, the coach of the Slovak national team, casually walking through the Old Town. I was stunned. For a moment, I debated whether to run up to him for a picture or an autograph, but I decided not to. I didn’t want to bother him. Instead, I just watched in awe, realizing how surreal this trip was already becoming. After a few more beers, Zdeněk and I returned to the hotel to rest. We had to be ready for what was coming next.

EXPLORING RIGA

The morning started with breakfast at the hotel, followed by some sightseeing. Riga is a beautiful city, with a rich history. We made sure to explore its Old Town, visit the Freedom Monument, and even stop by the National Library of Latvia. What really surprised me, though, was how accessible the city was for people with disabilities. Almost every terrace had ramps, the buses were low-floor, and fully adapted, and even the sidewalks were designed with accessibility in mind. Zdeněk, who has had to navigate countless cities in his wheelchair, was happily surprised too.

RIGA’S OPEN AIR MUSEUM

One of the coolest places we visited was an outdoor Skansen. An open-air museum showcasing Latvia’s rich cultural heritage. Scattered across a huge green space we wandered through centuries old wooden houses, traditional farmsteads, and windmills. It was a nice and peaceful escape from the bustling city. In the old buildings locals were dressed in traditional clothing, demonstrating old crafts and sharing stories about how people used to live.

But as much as we appreciated Riga’s beauty, we had something bigger on our minds.

THE GAME.

We arrived early to experience the fan-zone, and the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic. Despite the historical rivalry between our countries, there was a real sense of unity. The fact that our languages are so similar made it easy to connect and soon enough, we were laughing and drinking with a group of Slovaks. They even bought beers for me and Zdeněk. No matter who we were rooting for, hockey had brought us all together.

Inside the arena, the energy was on another level. The chants, the flags waving, the raw emotion it was something I had only ever dreamed of experiencing. Zdeněk, sitting beside me, had the biggest grin on his face. Seeing his excitement made the trip even more special.

The game was so intense. Seeing all my favorite players on the ice was unforgettable. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions and it ended 3-2 for Czechia. After the game, we all ended up drinking beer together, simply enjoying life. It felt like, despite the rivalry, we were one nation, united by our love for hockey.

NEVER ENOUGH HOCKEY

We were enjoying the hockey so much that we booked another game. Slovakia vs. Latvia. This game was wild. Since the city was packed with Slovak fans it felt like two home teams competing against each other. The atmosphere was wild. And the best part? We won. Singing the national anthem with everyone in the stadium was a moment I will never forget. No one will be surprised that I lost my voice the next day.

THE TRUE PASSION

While in Riga, we got to witness the passion of Latvian fans. During their match against Canada, despite suffering a crushing 6-0 defeat, the Latvian supporters never stopped cheering. I spoke with one local who told me how proud they were just to have a national team competing at this level. It wasn’t always the case for them and no matter the result, they celebrated the fact that their country was on the ice.

That kind of love for the sport, that unwavering dedication, reminded me why I loved hockey in the first place. Traveling with Zdeněk only reinforced that feeling. His passion, his determination not to let anything stop him from experiencing the game he loved was truly inspiring.

FLYING WITH A STRANGER, RETURNING WITH A FRIEND

This trip wasn’t just about hockey. It was about something much bigger.

Zdeněk had always dreamed of experiencing a live World Championship match, but his condition made it impossible to travel alone. I was just a random guy who answered an online ad. I saw firsthand the challenges he faced, but also the sheer joy that hockey brought him.

Helping him experience this trip, navigating the city, getting him to the games, and making sure he didn’t miss a second of the action was one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done. Seeing his face light up with excitement, watching him cheer for his team, hearing him belt out the Czech anthem after their victory… that was the real win.

It made me realize that sometimes, the best moments in life aren’t just about what we do for ourselves, but what we can do for others.