20.12.2025 13:40
Engin Akbadal, who contracted 'elephantiasis' 12 years ago in Kayseri and has reached a weight of 300 kilograms over time, requires 12 million TL for his treatment. Bedridden and unable to leave his home for the past 5 years, Akbadal expressed that his dream is to go outside. He said, "I want to walk arm in arm with my wife on the street. At the very least, I would love to go somewhere to chat with my friends, have tea or coffee, and explore freely."
Engin Akbadal, a high school graduate living in the Sarıoğlan district of Kayseri, has been making a living by working as a porter in various places. About 12 years ago, Akbadal suddenly started gaining weight, and the hospitals he visited were unable to diagnose him for a while. Due to his weight, Akbadal was unable to continue working, and it was discovered that he had lymphedema, commonly known as 'elephantiasis.' During the past years, Akbadal, who could not be treated, became bedridden. Engin Akbadal, who has not been able to leave his home for 5 years, has also reached a weight of 300 kilograms.
"AFTER 12 YEARS, A LIGHT APPEARED"
Engin Akbadal, who says his wife is his lifeline, stated, "I last fell ill in 2014. It has been 12 years. This condition progressed a bit faster for me. Those suffering from the same illness progress a bit slower, but it progressed quickly for me. It develops step by step. First, it swells, then it brings you to bed. Each time I fell ill, it advanced a step further. There is no one in my family. We have not heard or seen it until now. They had difficulty even diagnosing it. Most didn't know its name, and then it progressed. When it first started, it might have been one in a million, but now it has progressed. Technology has advanced now. Many are working on this issue. I had researched until now but couldn't find anything. But one of our doctors said, if I can reach him, 'I will treat you.' After 12 years, a light appeared. If I can't reach him, nothing will happen again," he said.
"IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN THIS DISEASE TO SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW"
Akbadal, who stated that he has many things to be grateful for in life and that his psychology is good, said, "I don't easily get broken. I am grateful to my friends and family. There are friends who will help when we have a problem. I have seen that too. Rather than thinking about my wife, she thinks about me. She is my biggest supporter. When I fall into despair, she shakes me and brings me back to myself. She is always by my side. She is my friend and my companion. My children are aware of my situation. At least they don't show it to me. They surely have dreams, but they don't show them to me much. I believe my weight is over 300. One of my legs alone weighs 120-130 kilograms. This is not related to weight. It is related to the circulatory system. There are those who say it is due to weight. It's hard to explain this disease to someone who doesn't know. Everyone says, 'Go on a diet.' I have been on a diet for 1.5-2 years. In that state, it swells on its own," he said.
"IT HAS BEEN 5 YEARS SINCE I LAST WENT OUT"
Engin Akbadal, describing how his day goes, said, "We wake up in the morning. The children go to school. My wife and I have breakfast. I look at the television and my phone. I watch the animals from the window. I think it has been 5 years since I last went outside. Until about 1.5 years ago, I could go out to the balcony. They could lift me out, but then we stopped. I haven't gone out for 5-6 years. I used to be able to ride a motorcycle. After I got sick, I couldn't ride a motorcycle either. I was having difficulty getting up. My legs can be lifted with a crane from the ceiling. I thought about getting a crane as a last resort. Until now, I haven't asked anyone for anything. But now, as a last resort, I had to ask. May God not put anyone in this situation," he said.
TREATMENT COST IS 12 MILLION TL
Akbadal stated that he needs 12 million TL for the treatment of his illness, saying, "We applied to the governor's office for a fundraising campaign, but we did not get approval. So we said, 'Let's go through social media.' We met with the doctor 3-4 times. He quoted us a figure of around 12 million TL. It is very difficult for me to reach this amount on my own. I had also fallen into despair. I was saying, 'I can't find this money. This disease will go with me.' My friend shook me. 'There are very good people in the country. Drop by drop, a lake forms. There are many sensitive citizens,' he said. After this, if our state leaders and people in good situations do charity, may God be pleased with them. I would like to walk hand in hand with my wife on the street. At least I would love to go somewhere and chat with my friends, have tea or coffee, and wander around as I please," he said.