22.10.2026 10:33
Kader Dilek Erduran, 34, who lives in Samsun and has congenital cerebral palsy, was given a 1 percent chance of survival by doctors while she was in her mother's womb, but her mother refused to terminate the pregnancy. Erduran, who stayed in an incubator for 45 days after birth and could not speak until she was 5, learned to express herself through intensive therapy. For 10 years, Erduran has been attending many courses, from jewelry making to planting plants.
Kader Dilek Erduran (34), who lives in Samsun and has congenital cerebral palsy, was told by doctors that she would not live. Erduran, who stayed in an incubator for 45 days after birth and could not speak until the age of 5, has been attending many courses for 10 years, from jewelry making to various handicrafts.
For Kader Dilek Erduran, who lost her father at a young age in Samsun, continues her life with her mother, and has cerebral palsy, doctors said while she was in her mother's womb that her chance of living was 1 percent. Her mother did not accept terminating the pregnancy despite the doctors' warnings. Erduran, who stated that some parts of her brain were affected because they remained without oxygen, said she could not speak until the age of 5 and that she was able to express herself after an intensive therapy and education process. Erduran, who has received physical therapy since childhood, has been attending many courses for about 10 years, from jewelry making to various handicrafts, in order to take more part in social life. Most recently, Erduran started a course in planting plants, soil, and flowers at her own request. Erduran, who was studying in the Social Services program at Anadolu University's Open Education Faculty and paused her education 5 years ago, plans to take the university exam again in the coming period.
HER MOTHER DID NOT ACCEPT TERMINATING THE PREGNANCY
Kader Dilek Erduran, who stated that she has congenital cerebral palsy, a brain paralysis illness, said, 'They said I had a 1 percent chance of living. While I was in my mother's womb, they said I would not live. As a result of staying in an incubator for 45 days after birth, I practically stubbornly held on to life. My mother did not want to abort me. She said, If she lives, that is my fate; if there is death, do not take her. We have been living with my mother for 34 years. My father died when I was 45 days old. My mother takes care of me. She has never restricted me from social areas. She was even more stubborn than me. When I say, Mother, do you not get tired, do you never give up, she has shown more patience than me. She did not let me fall or withdraw psychologically. I could not speak at all until I was 5. Many parts of my brain were affected because they remained without oxygen. But after an intensive therapy and learning process, not much remained. Otherwise, I had not spoken until the age of 5.'
SHE ATTENDED EVERY COURSE FROM JEWELRY TO SOIL IN 10 YEARS
Stating that she has attended many courses for about 10 years, Erduran said, 'After finishing my school, so that there would be social hobby courses, and so as not to be shut up at home, I have been here for about 10 years. Over the course of 10 years, I attended everything, including the jewelry course. Right now we are in a plant, soil, and flower planting course. We requested this course ourselves. Because psychologically, so that we could relax a little more, deal with soil a little more, and if we have negative energy, throw it away. This place also becomes a social activity area for us.'
A WHEELCHAIR IS NOT A SHACKLE
Stating that she has received physical therapy since birth, Erduran said, 'I am a bit tired of physical therapy now. Having received physical therapy since infancy for 34 years without ever stopping, I got tired. For 2-3 years I have not been receiving treatment. My condition is not one that can improve anyway. Because it is cerebral palsy, it is a permanent illness. But let me tell you this. If I were not disabled, looking at the good side, maybe I would have had a different life. Maybe I would have gotten involved in bad habits outside. It matters where you look from. Someone who wants to can resent life by saying I have a disability. But I never preferred that. Of course we have difficulties too. Our life is not very easy either, but perspective matters in many areas. For us this is no longer an obstacle; it is a way of life. Just as your feet are a certain length, my foot is like this. For me, a wheelchair is not a shackle,' she said.
Erduran, who also gave advice to disabled citizens, said, 'First of all, disabled citizens should never stay shut in at home. Their view of themselves breaks the prejudices of those around them toward them. I have experienced many problems. Boarding a bus, on the tram. But what I always say is this: we have advantages in terms of teaching many things to able-bodied people too. First, accept yourself. As long as you do not accept yourself, you cannot overcome anything. I also want this from our elders: when they see a disabled person, we do not want them to act like May God help us, how did this happen, with pitying looks. I have had social responsibility projects before. On integration training. I am involved in many areas, and I will try to be involved as much as I can and as my health allows,' she said.