16.07.2026 20:00
In Istanbul's Esenyurt district, 8-year-old autistic child Toprak was not allowed into a sand park at a shopping mall. When the mother tried to record the discrimination, she faced physical intervention from the staff. The altercation between the mother and the staff was captured on camera.
Müjgan Özdemir took her 8-year-old autistic child, Toprak, to a sand park located in a shopping mall in Istanbul's Esenyurt district to play, as always.
AUTISTIC CHILD NOT ALLOWED IN, MOTHER ATTACKED
Toprak, excited upon seeing the play area, was impatient to enter. Mother Müjgan Özdemir quietly explained to the park attendant that her child's excited movements were due to a special condition. However, when the attendant said she could not let autistic Toprak into the play area, Müjgan Özdemir was deeply disappointed. Özdemir, who recorded the moment with her mobile phone, faced physical intervention from the attendant. A scuffle broke out between mother Müjgan Özdemir and the young female play area attendant. The moment was caught on camera.
"SHE ATTACKED ME WHILE I WAS RECORDING"
Describing the events, mother Müjgan Özdemir said, "The shopping mall sand park is a place my child always goes to. This time, when he made excited movements, I had to quietly tell the girl that he is autistic. The girl said, with strange attitudes, that she couldn't let him in. Despite my child's all struggles, the girl insisted she could never let him in. I had to record a video and share it. While I was recording there, the girl attacked me. She tried to hit my phone. Then she made statements like 'If this child comes in, I'll leave this workplace.' A scuffle occurred."
BUSINESS OWNER CALLED AND APOLOGIZED
Özdemir, stating that the business owner called her in the evening, said, "He said he just found out about the incident, that they would never accept such discrimination, that he wanted to apologize to Toprak, and that he could come and play as much as he wanted anytime he wanted. His approach made me very happy."
"MY VOICE RAISING WAS DUE TO MY HELPLESSNESS"
Describing her helplessness, mother Özdemir said, "People can do anything when they have children. I was helpless at that moment. I wanted to shout as loud as I could. We already experience very difficult things. I wanted to say 'Don't make life even harder.' Actually, my shouting there, my voice raising, was due to my helplessness."