Before starting to practice sport, I felt useless and as if disabled people could not participate in society. But after I started, I felt that sport and a healthy lifestyle could be beneficial for myself and for those who have their own country and nation close to their heart, while people can finally see visually impaired individuals as a citizen of a country (in my case it is Turkey). Thus, today I represent my country in international competitions in judo and weightlifting.
I have humble origins: my father is a farmer; I am one of 4 children. In my childhood, there were no children or toys to keep me company. I used to spend my time feeding our animals and studying to prove that I was a good daughter. I've always been studying a lot and I have prayed to God that I always will. My eyes started slowly deteriorating. I realized that something was happening to my sight but I did not want to give up. Beyköy (in northwestern Turkey) is a small reality that can be hostile to people with different abilities: the social environment, unhealthy diet, and untreated condition made the damage worse. Some friends slowly abandoned me and others made fun of me because I am visually impaired and a "peasant". But I didn't forget my purpose and my longing for success. So I worked hard and while in high school my friends were on holiday having fun, I was working in orchards. The job cost me many efforts, both because I am visually impaired and because I had to earn money for my poor family.
In college I started noticing that my body is very strong, I decided to start with the sport. In the beginning, my family did not know. This is because I grew up close to our traditions and values, wearing the hijab. 2017 was my first year in the sport. They elected me for the national team and only then, I told my family and I asked them to support me in this decision. After their consent, I got (secretly) a job and I moved to the capital. These gave me the strength and confidence I needed.
I broke several records, for instance, I have been the Turkish champion for 60 kilograms at the Turkish visually impaired Weightlifting Championship. I also broke the Turkish record that no one pass for 4 years. In 2018 I was the Second World Champion in the bench press category.
All my victories and records have always made me proud of myself because now I can do useful things, for myself and my country. So far I have represented my country abroad in Judo and weightlifting competitions about 20 times. I am now an athlete; a professional masseur; I have been a reporter, newswoman, and now I am an advisor at the Ministry of youth and sports for all athletes with disabilities. It means that I am in charge of logistics ( e.g. dormitories) for people with disabilities and it is my responsibility to assist students with disabilities to meet their needs. These tasks have an invaluable meaning for me.
This opportunity is one of the best things that happened to me: I spent a month and I attended this project because I could spend time with non-disabled people and learn from each other. We became friends who shared their life, and I could demonstrate that all the struggles do not make disabled people different. It was inspiring for them: they saw our success and abilities, realizing that actually, they can accomplish anything in life. I realized that there are no obstacles to true love and friendships, and thanks to this project, the sweetest people of this world came to our country and created a safe environment to talk about my beautiful country, its culture. This project encourages people with disabilities to have a voice, in their own countries and beyond. I hope to keep being part of amazing opportunities like this.
Maybe 10 years from now I will still tell people what this experience taught me and I will keep encouraging people to remove the barriers that are only in their heads.
A message for my disabled friends out there: be confident, friendly, invest in human relationships and friendship. You are not alone in this world.
