13.01.2026 20:22
Medine Ocak (12), who lost both of her legs and her father in the earthquakes on February 6 in Kahramanmaraş, clung to life through swimming, which she started in Kayseri. Ocak travels 1.5 hours for a swimming course six days a week with her prosthetic legs and is requesting new prosthetic legs from the authorities so she can run. Medine Ocak said, "My father jumped on us to save us. I want to win a medal in the Olympic competition to be held in 2028 and dedicate it to my father."
Medine Ocak, who was caught in a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, along with her 3 siblings and father in a 7-story apartment on Trabzon Street, was trapped under the rubble when the building collapsed.
LOST 2 LEGS AND HER FATHER IN THE EARTHQUAKE Ocak and her siblings were rescued by relatives about 13 hours later, while her father's lifeless body was found 5 days later. Medine Ocak, who was transferred to Kayseri City Hospital, had both of her legs amputated. After approximately 1.5 years of treatment, a prosthetic leg was fitted for Ocak in Adana. After that, Medine Ocak, who started swimming, became the first in Turkey in the 200 and 800 meters at the Swimming and Deaf Swimming National Team Selection Championship held in Sivas in 2025. Ocak, who travels 1.5 hours, 6 days a week with her prosthetic legs for swimming courses, is requesting new prosthetic legs from the authorities to be able to run.
'MY FATHER JUMPED ON US TO SAVE US' Medine Ocak, recounting her experiences during the earthquake, said, "I was sleeping with my sister during the earthquake. We started shaking. My sister and I called for my father. My father came to our room with my brother. My father jumped on us to save us. After that, we slid into the balcony void, and our house collapsed. There were walls and columns on top of me. I couldn't feel my legs. I was trapped under the rubble for 13 hours. I could hear sounds from outside, but my voice couldn't go out. My uncle, my uncle, and my brother-in-law rescued me from under the rubble. They first pulled me out, then my sister, and then my brother. On the 5th day, they pulled out my father. My father passed away. After I was rescued, I was transferred to Kayseri. I stayed in the hospital in Kayseri for 1.5 years, and my treatment continued. My legs were amputated," she said.
'I CAN'T RUN BECAUSE OF MY PROSTHESIS' Ocak, explaining how she started swimming, said, "I was going to go to Adana for my prosthetics. There, I met my manager. He asked me, 'What is your dream?' and I said swimming. He enrolled me in swimming in Kayseri. I met my manager Ali İhsan Kabakcı. I also met my coach Hasan Ertuğrul Çakmak. That's how I started. I actually started swimming for rehabilitation. My coach Ertuğrul noticed me and started training me. I come 6 days a week. I swim for about 2 hours. Our goals with coach Ertuğrul are very high. I became the first in Turkey in the 800 meters in Sivas. I became the first in Turkey in the 200 meters. I became the 4th in Turkey in the 50 meters backstroke. I became the 5th in Turkey in the 50 and 100 meters. The distance between my house and my swimming course is 1.5 hours. I am late when I come to swim. Sometimes I need to run. I can't run because of my prosthesis. I want a prosthesis that allows me to run and makes me comfortable from my state officials. In return, I promise to become a champion," she expressed.
'I WANT TO WIN A MEDAL AND DEDICATE IT TO MY FATHER' Medine Ocak said, "Our current goal is to be first in the competition held in Antalya. People in my situation should not be ashamed, they should come. They should not say, 'I can't swim, I can't do it.' They can achieve everything; we can do everything. I want to win a medal in the Olympic competition held in 2028 and dedicate it to my father," she said.
'I HAVE TO LIVE FOR MY CHILDREN' Dilek Ocak, who comes to training with her daughter, said, "I was at work the night of the earthquake. I was working in a factory. My 4 children and my husband were at home. I experienced the earthquake at my workplace. I called home, I called my sons and my husband. No one answered the phone. I started crying out loud. I was working in Türkoğlu district, we went to the center. From there, I walked home. When I got there, my house was destroyed. I called out my children's names. They all shouted, 'Mom, we are here' when I called. They were saying, 'Save us.' I never heard my husband's voice. My husband had already passed away at the moment the house collapsed. My pain is very great, but I have to live for my children. Life goes on. My expectation from my daughter is that she becomes a national athlete and goes to Europe, raising our Turkish flag. Medine really wants this. I want it very much too. Our training continues. I say to all disabled parents from here; our children can achieve everything. No one should give up. They should not say, 'Our child is disabled.'
Medine's coach Hasan Ertuğrul Çakmak also said:
"We have been actively training with Medine for about 1.5-2 years. Our goal with Medine is to wave our country's flag in the international arena as well. Medine became the Turkish champion at the Turkey Swimming Championship held in Sivas last month. Our current goal is to achieve good results at the Paralympic Swimming Turkey Championship to be held in Antalya on January 29, and I want to see Medine at the European Championship in 2026. We need to support children like this. We are doing our best to support, but we can gift a better prosthesis to our daughter Medine. In return for this prosthesis, I want to promise all our state officials that we will achieve European and World Championships with Medine."