08.04.2025 16:30
A large portion of the citizens living in a rural neighborhood of Samsun consists of individuals with hearing and speech disabilities. In this neighborhood, which has about 20 households, there are multiple deaf and mute individuals in each home. The neighborhood headman, making a statement on the matter, said, "There are a lot of disabled, deaf, and mute people in our neighborhood. About 100-120 people live here, and half of them are disabled."
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In the Gökova neighborhood of Alaçam district in Samsun, the rate of individuals with hearing and speech disabilities is quite high. Gökova, located about 40 kilometers from the district center of Alaçam and 120 kilometers from the city center of Samsun, draws attention with its deaf and mute population. It is reported that similar disabilities are observed in the new generations born in the neighborhood, with babies being born deaf and mute.
FOCUSING ON THE POSSIBILITY OF COUSIN MARRIAGE
A large part of the neighborhood's population uses sign language for communication, but there is no definitive information on what causes this situation. While it is suggested that cousin marriages may have an effect, the residents of the neighborhood express that other possibilities may also play a role.
"100-120 PEOPLE LIVE HERE, HALF OF THEM ARE DISABLED"
The muhtar of Gökova neighborhood, Eyüp Tozun, describing the situation in his neighborhood, stated, "Our neighborhood is quite far from the district. Therefore, we face various difficulties. There are many disabled, deaf, and mute individuals in our neighborhood. 100-120 people live here, half of them are disabled. I believe this situation is not due to cousin marriage, but rather due to unhealthy water sources. As residents, we have learned to communicate using sign language. Those coming from outside have difficulty communicating. We are 9 siblings, 4 of whom are disabled. There are almost no healthy individuals," he expressed.
"THIS VILLAGE IS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH DISABLED PEOPLE"
85-year-old Satı Tozun, one of the residents of the neighborhood, stated, "I have 4 disabled children. My child who lives separately also has 3 children, all of whom are deaf and mute. My sister-in-law also has disabled children. This village is completely filled with disabled people."
"THEY ALL NEED CARE"
Rahmi Çizin, who lives in Gökova neighborhood, said, "There are a total of 48 disabled individuals in our neighborhood. They all need care. We have no water, we are in trouble. We do not know if this situation is due to cousin marriage or the water, but the rate of disability in the village is very high. They all need care."
"WE GOT USED TO SIGN LANGUAGE"
Ali Tüzün, one of the residents, stated, "A large part of this neighborhood is disabled. It is very difficult for them to make a living. They receive help from the government, but not enough attention is given. They communicate using sign language, and we have also gotten used to it over time."
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