Özgenç Güngör lost his right leg as a result of a traffic accident at the age of 11. After 1 year of treatment, Güngör tried to walk with crutches in the first place, and then a prosthetic leg was fitted. Güngör’s life changed completely thanks to basketball he met at the age of 19. Güngör, who now put an end to his resentment and clings to life, described his experiences as follows:
“I lost my right leg after a traffic accident when I was 11 years old. After my treatment, I had to go to school on crutches for 1 year. Then I met the prosthetic leg. I started wheelchair basketball when I was 19. I’ve been playing basketball nonstop for 16 years. I am glad that I met basketball and entered this environment. Basketball has given me a lot. Now I have overcome my own obstacle and started to explain our rights to people with disabilities outside. Previously, I was working at Aksaray Training and Research Hospital as a subcontractor. Our state recruited disabled people and the Ministry of Justice was drawn for me. In this way, I started to work as a consultant in Aksaray Courthouse 3 years ago. My manager is a really nice person. He said to me, ‘I need someone who is warm and has good communication. Because people come here nervous. People become stressed when they inevitably receive punishment and crime. I also provide consultancy services to citizens in a friendly way.”
‘My WIFE IS MY BIGGEST SUPPORT’
Güngör, the father of 3 boys, said that his wife always supported him in every way. Noting that he never felt like a disabled person thanks to his wife, Güngör said, “I got married at the age of 21. My wife is a nurse. He has no obstacles. He has had a huge impact on me being where I am today. He has always been my biggest supporter. He never made me feel that I was disabled and did not look at me as a disabled person. It helped me in sports, in my work and in my village life. When you make people with disabilities feel that they cannot do a job, we become ambitious and we do not persevere. They said to me, ‘How are you going to do sports, work and agriculture?’ And I said, ‘I like to do sports, I will find a way’. My job has never stopped me. Calling all disabled people. After you are determined, everything will happen,” he said.
‘WE WERE A FAMILY AT THE COURT’
Stating that they are a big family in the courthouse, Güngör said, “There is a very good atmosphere here. I love everyone very much and I know they love me too. My colleagues, my managers and our attorney general with his fatherly attitude do not cause us any trouble and I do not feel my disability here. This enthusiasm of mine is reflected in my work and when a disabled person comes to the courthouse, I immediately rush to his aid. I am accompanying him until his trial. Since I understand their situation very well, I try not to be victimized. I’ll even arrange for him if he needs to get up here on a stretcher. And that is thanks to our attorney general and our manager. The courthouse administration told us to treat the citizens the same way you treat your parents, and we behave in the same way,” he said.
‘WE ARE GOOD IN THE LEAGUE’
Stating that they competed in the 1st League in the 68 Aksaray Municipality Wheelchair Basketball Team and their situation is good in the league, Güngör said, “We achieved a good success by making 3 out of 3 in the league. I would like to thank our Mayor Evren Dinçer, who supported us financially and morally. I also ask our citizens to bring their children to the games. Developing children see what disabled people can do in both sports and business. I leave work here at 5 pm. I go home and have a snack. At 18.30, I go to the gym right away to train. At around 21:00, my training ends and I go home. On the weekends, we go to the games. Since I use an orthotic prosthesis, I need to keep my weight stable. And I achieve this thanks to sports. I had a prosthesis fitted when I was 80 kilos. If I gain a few pounds, I have trouble walking. This is how my days pass,” he said.
Erkan ALTUNTAŞ / AKSARAY (DHA)
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