Asel’s determination, the power of love

Asel, who clings to life with her determination at Cekmekoy Disability Life Center, was lifted up by the love of her teachers and trainers. Cekmekoy Mayor Orhan Cerkez, who closely followed Asel Beren’s treatment process, said, ‘Asel Beren’s determination surprised us a lot. The approach of our friends with love caused her to smile at life again.’

Asel Beren is only 7 years old. She was born in 2017 as the second child of the Nazife-Serkan couple. Asel Beren, who also has an older sister, was taken to the hospital immediately when vomiting and balance disorder occurred at the age of 15 months. The tests revealed a tumor in Asel’s brain. After a successful surgery, Asel Beren recovered. When her health recovered, the tumor in her brain recurred in 2020. Epilepsy disease also appeared in Asel when she underwent surgery again. Asel, who clings to life with her determination at Cekmekoy Disability Life Center, was uplifted by the love of her teachers and trainers. Cekmekoy Mayor Orhan Cerkez, who closely followed Asel Beren’s treatment process, said, ‘Asel Beren’s determination surprised us a lot. The approach of our friends with love caused her to smile at life again.’

Aged 7, mental age 2
With the efforts of the father working in a public institution and the housewife mother, Asel Beren managed to hold onto life. The Keskin family, who did not have sufficient financial means, searched for physical therapy, physiotherapy, sensory integration, psychological counseling, guidance, and individual education for their only daughter Asel Beren. They started to receive all these treatments and rehabilitations by applying to Cekmekoy Municipality Disability Life Center. Asel Beren, who clings to life with the education she receives here, continues her education for two hours a week. Mayor Cerkez, stating that they increased the treatment process to twice a week with the schools being on holiday, said, ‘We provide services to our children like Asel Beren with the extraordinary efforts of our professional trainers and managers at the Disability Life Center. This center is one of Turkey’s most important life centers. When she first started at the Life Center, she did not communicate with anyone except her mother. She had anxiety and crying fits.’

‘Made me food and bought me tea’
Mayor Cerkez, who stated that he had difficulty expressing himself when he came to the center, continued his words as follows: ‘He had almost no academic skills. Now he has started to do all of these. He used to strain himself in socialization and communication. Thanks to the education he received in this regard, he can now do all these very comfortably. In fact, when I visited our center, Asel Beren made me food with her toys and bought me tea. Every task done with love in every aspect of life always finds its reward. We are making significant contributions to many of our children like Asel Beren at this center…’

‘Attending classes and playing games with friends’
Belma Yildirim, Administrative Affairs Coordinator, and Seyma Metin, Education Coordinator at Cekmekoy Disability Life Center, stated that she communicates and plays games with her peers. ‘She goes to kindergarten with her peers. She can construct sentences to express her own needs. She used to be inseparable from her mother. Now she can play independently without her mother and spend time. She listens carefully to her teachers and can participate in lessons.’

‘Couldn’t stand, now she walks on her own’
Ulas Can Sever, the physiotherapist, stated that Asel had a great difficulty in standing due to balance disorders and muscle weakness in both legs and torso. ‘With the physiotherapy process, control over the body was provided. We continue to work on controlled movements in the hips and legs. Asel Beren, who had difficulty sitting, now stands on her own and has no problem walking. Our next goal is to bring Asel Beren to a level where she can perform daily life activities on her own. To improve her quality of life…’

Asel’s mother, Nazife Keskin, who takes care of all of Asel Beren’s treatment and rehabilitation processes as her husband works, said, ‘My child is only seven years old. Such a struggle in such a short time has also strengthened me. Especially the process after surgeries was a surprise for us. The approach of the trainers at Cekmekoy Disability Life Center, the treatments applied with patience, were extraordinary. This process reconnected us to life. I thank Cekmekoy Municipality and our Mayor Orhan Cerkez very much. I frequently get information from the trainers and follow the treatment process. Before the holiday, he also came to the education center and spent time with Asel. My beautiful daughter made food with her toys and bought tea for the mayor.’