A SEASIDE VIEW / From Saray to Turgutreis
Güncelleme Tarihi:
It was the usual scene for a ceremonial day in Bodrum: Formalities were first observed at the Atatürk statue, with speeches made before the marching bands and a school folklore group in full costume led all the participants up to the harbor square. There they watched the children's folklore dances before descending on the food and goods on sale at the fundraising tables run by enthusiastic volunteers.
A Bodrum resident stood bemused on the square. "I have never seen so many disabled people in my life," he said. Yet there they were: Toddlers in prams with parents, children running around, dancing, young adults and older with their families, friends, teachers and volunteers all in the bright sunshine to celebrate the International Day for People with Disabilities.
The Bodrum district governor and mayor were over to one side comparing their selection of food with two of the older lads who attend the Turgutreis center, others stood chatting, while some family groups had taken their plates to the tables of the favorite harbor-side tea cafe beside the captains and regular cafe-goers.
A group of young teens stood in front of the crowd dressed in traditional costume and sang Turkish folk songs, enjoying themselves, proud of their performance.
What a change from 20 years ago, when the handicapped and disabled were lucky to be to be sat outside their home in the sunshine with their families.
Now in Bodrum area there are facilities that are the result of change brought about through the work of determined health professionals, families of disabled children and local business people.
Firstly, a small group started giving physiotherapy sessions in the basement of the State Hospital. A charitable foundation, the Bodrum Health Foundation, or BSV, was set up and laid out its vision, one that many in Bodrum may have thought was overly ambitious.
The vision was to build and run a center for disabled children where therapy, education, support and empowerment could be theirs. Land was found in Turgutreis, and fundraising campaigns started. The vision became reality.
The Gökkuşağı (Rainbow) Special Education and Rehabilitation Center was built 10 years ago and now has become part of the fabric of the community. Another association for disabled adults has formed, a primary school has taken on a special class, and a government school and training unit has opened.
Building the future
The outgoing chairman of the BSV foundation, Birol Inan, reminded everyone of their slogan "Let’s Build the Future Together" at the foundation’s dinner to celebrate Wednesday night.
He thanked the whole cohort of volunteers, fundraisers, donors, staff, families, and local authorities, but urged everyone to continue to develop and renew the foundation’s service and to keep their mission firmly in mind.
He emphasized the growing power and influence of non-government organizations, or NGOs, and likewise urged them to be proud of their successes and to maintain their mission.
With that in mind, he reflected on the effects of the Sarah Ferguson visit to the vast government residential care Saray Center in Ankara in October, and the subsequent "shock, horror, exposure" televised on a British television station.
"We watched in sorrow the negative images... we felt undignified and discouraged, and we reacted," said Inan. He went on to ask what conclusions were to be made about where the problems were. Was it in inadequate equipment, staff, wages, training or maybe the number of government inspections?
"Or was it in Sarah Ferguson - who placed this fact in front of our eyes?" He acknowledged that criticism hurt, but allowed that "the Duchess had acted according to the mission of the non-governmental institution and she drew attention to an important issue in a country outside the boundaries of her own country."
"The work we perform is not work that can be done without putting love and forbearance into," he said. "I see this love and excitement in the eyes of all our volunteers and friends working in our center. I receive the good news about the first steps of one of our children unable to walk, from our accountant."
Inan urged everyone: "If we, as a country, set our emotional reactions to one side, we can provide the services to the people in need of help at the utmost level with the self-sacrificing nature of our people and our culture of assistance."
These are not one person’s words alone. As Inan said, "It is 'we' here, not 'I,'" and the achievements of a community center in a small summer holiday coastal town, the anguish of the Saray visit can be healed.