Hayal Değilmiş ki! Düşler Akademisi - KAŞ :)

Yakın zamana kadar bir hayalim var diyordum; Türkiye'de engellilerin, sosyal dezavantajlı gençlerin hayatlarındaki tüm problemleri, tüm sıkıntıları unutup eğlenceli vakit geçirebilecekleri, belki de hayatlarının devamında hayatlarını kazanmalarını sağlayacak yeteneklerini keşfetmeleri ya da yeni yetenekler edinmelerini sağlayacak eğitici, öğretici, eğlenceli bir yaşam alanı, bir köy. Araştırmaya başladığım sıralarda Ayder’in ve Düşler Akademisi’nin kurucusu Ercan Tutal ile tanıştım ve bana bunun aslında bir hayal olmadığını gösterdi.

2008 yılından bu yana Türkiye’de engelli ve sosyal dezavantajlı gençler için çalışmalarını sürdüren Düşler Akademisi’nin yeni bir projesi olarak açılan Düşler Akademisi – Kaş merkezinde, belki biraz iddialı olacak ama aklınıza gelebilecek neredeyse tüm aktiviteler mevcut J Eğitim vermek isteyen gönüllülerin istekleri doğrultusunda şekilleniyor biraz da bu aktiviteler. Kaş Köy akademisinde de Düşler Akademisinde olduğu gibi katılımcılardan hiçbir şekilde bir ücret talep edilmiyor. Kayıtlar dolana kadar tüm engellilere açık kapıları. Her katılımcının yanında onunla ilgilenen, tüm ihtiyaçları konusunda her an yardımcı olan, kişinin engel durumuna göre belirlenen 1 ya da 2 gönüllü bulunuyor. 2008 yılından bugüne kadar “Alternatif Kamp” adı altında Türkiye’nin birçok yerinde (Van, Bodrum, Edremit (Kaz Dağları), Sinop, Fatsa, Artvin, İzmir Aliağa, Kaş) gençlerle buluşmuş Düşler Akademisi. Yaklaşık 8000 genç yararlanabilmiş bu fırsattan.

Kardeşimi de düşünerek kendi adıma merak ettiğim ve Ercan Bey’e sorduğum ilk soru bugüne kadar herhangi bir çocuğun başına bir şey gelip gelmediği oldu. Sizlere de hemen söyleyeyim, bugüne kadar herhangi bir çocuğun burnu bile kanamamış. Ercan Bey ile gerçekleştirdiğimiz görüşme hem benim hem de genel olarak ikna etmenin daha zor olduğu annemin bile içini rahatlattı ve hayatımızda ilk defa Sevil’i rahatlıkla yalnız başına gönderebileceğimiz bir yer olduğu konusunda ikna olduk. Şimdi Kaş Köy Akademisi’nin açılmasını ailece sabırsızlıkla bekliyoruz. Tabi muhtemelen ilk seferde gidip uzaktan bir yerlerden izlemeye çalışacağız ama zaten bu da düşünülmüş, gidince o bölgede kalabileceğimiz orada yaşayan köylülerin evlerinden dönüştürülmüş kır pansiyonları mevcut. Ailenin çocukla beraber gitmesi kesinlikle tercih edilmiyor ama en azından ilk sefer sadece belki J

Düşler Akademisi ve Düşler Akademisi Kaş ile ilgili daha fazla bilgi almak için aşağıdaki iletişim bilgilerini kullanabilirsiniz, tabi bana da ulaşabilirsiniz J

Adres:Fesleğen Sok. No:10,
Yeni Sahra/İstanbul – Asya

Telefon:0216 688 3153

Email:info@duslerakademisi.org

Eğer siz de bu güzel projenin bir parçası olmak istiyorsanız DESTEK yazarak aşağıdaki numaralara SMS atarak 5 TL yardımda bulunabilirsiniz.

Düşler Akademisi KAŞ SMS Kampanyası

Düşler Akademisi SMS from Düşler Akademisi on Vimeo.

I have a dream / Part 2 :)

For the ones who does not know, I've found about Camphill a while ago and started sending e-mails to the Camphills all around the world immediately. I asked about building a Camphill place in Turkey. Luckily I received answers from Canada, from Charles Kyd by the help of Lisa Hopper. Charles mentioned the subject at global Camphill meetings and suggested me to get in connect with Maria Mountain who is the editor of Camphill Correspondence. Maria answered my e-mails and accepted to publish my article when I mentioned my dream and ideas. The idea is to reach other people who share the same dream with me about Turkey. So we planted the seeds all together with these lovely people..Now all I wish is to be discovered by people who is as enthusiastic as me, so that we can build this magical place in Turkey all together .

By the help of this article, I've been receiving lovely e-mails from several Camphill schools in Europe; they are inviting me to see the environment and be a part of it. Hopefully I'll join one of them. And I received a special phone call today that really gave me hope. I'll tell you about it later after I make some progress about it :)

To learn about Camphill more, please check the Wikipedia link below. You can also see a list of all Camphill Communities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camphill_Movement

Here is my article that is published in Camphill Correspondence January/February Issue:

I HAVE A DREAM..
I have a dream since I noticed that my sister is different than the other children.

The most difficult part was to perceive what this difference actually is; what it implies for my life and for my little sister. I was trying to figure it out whether being different is bad, it is something we need to hide..I was curious whether it will change our lifes completely and I was not sure whether I should feel sad, or not. My list of questions was mounting every day. In the coming days, I come to understand that my sister’s condition is going to be with us for a long time. Instead of thinking my home works and my own ‘coming to age’ problems, I devoted my energy to ask millions of difficult questions about my sister’s condition.

In addition to the boiling questions and anxieties in my own mind, I was also disturbed to see things are changing and changing fast with my parents. Both of them radically changed after the little baby was born. It wasn't the baby that changed them as much as it was the thoughts they were gathering from the society, the pessimistic examples they were encountering in the medical history. It was 90s and the research on Down Syndrome was very new to Turkey. Both my mom and dad felt helpless and did not know where to ask for help. They were sad and very worried.

If the situation were only for a month, or a year, or even for couple years, we would have easily accepted it. We would have devoted ourselves to diminish my little sister’s sufferings, to train and educate her and to dream about the days that she participates in life just like her other peers. Yet, we had no hope, not a glimpse of it whatsoever. The Medical research has proved time and again that the possibility of improvement in Down Syndrome is very very slim. So started our experimental lives. We were experimenting with our emotions, trying to make sense what is awaiting us in this long journey.Some days were surprising; some days were normal; and some days were just like unbearably hopeless that we did nothing but felt pity for ourselves: “why did it happen to us”?

As the days passed, our pessimism is replaced by a love for my little sister. I do not remember how this actually happened, but we started believing there is a reason we have this special baby. May be, it was an opportunity for us to experience fear and anxiety and may be, I thought, I can do something for other people, families who are going through the pain and fear of the unknown.

I have a 23 years old sister who has Down Syndrome. She is living in a Southern city called Mersin in Turkey. She's enrolled at a special school where the only thing they usually learn about is painting. I know she can do more. She loves dancing and she loves music. She can hear the rhytms better than most people can. I know I am a bit late, but it took me a while to internalize the concept of being different and understanding that every person, every soul whether she/he has a disability, or not, needs to discover his/her own skills to live a life in productivity by using these skills.

In our case, and I think in most of the cases, the most difficult part was feeling hopeless. If at that point we knew that my little sister have a chance to live a relatively easy and happy life, our lives would not appear that dark and gloomy. I wish I knew by then Down Syndrome kids have many talents and skills waiting to be discovered and trained. They can actually enjoy working on talents and have chances to produce something good for themselves and for the world. We did not know that than, and I believe it is the lesson that life wanted us to learn. Now, I want to do something to educate parents that Down Syndrome kids do not have to be locked in their homes. They can be part of life, just is everybody else. They can contribute to something, and they can more importantly feel happy, gratified and rewarded.

It might not be as difficult and bad as it was 23 years ago right now. There are a few better schools and charities working with the children with disabilities. Yet, my sister's future is still making me worried; There is still a lot that needs to be done in Turkey.

I found out about Camphill while I was making an Internet research to see whether somebody has already realized my dream about a place catered towards Down Syndrome kids. I was looking for a magical place where all the people living there are devoted, charming and hopeful. I dreamed a place where my sister can discover her skills and actually see that she can push her own boundaries for the better. A place where there aren't any disabilities; there are only differently enabled kids and adults living together in peace and harmony.

If there is any possibility for us to bring the beautiful village of yours to Turkey, that would be deeply change many kids lives.

I have many ideas that are building in my mind and many more questions as well. At that point I need your help and support. It's not important who you are or what you are doing. We can bring our ideas and hopes together and create a world where all people are valued equally for their different contributions. And we can chant that we are all the same and have the same rights - rights to make our choice to live a healthy, happy and social life in productivity.. We all deserve to feel that our existence is necessary for the universe.

I am also ready to be volunteered to contribute to one of the Camphill societies and experience this perfect environment if any of you would accept me even for a little while.

I have a dream / Part 1

It has been 3 years since I wrote my last post..And the last post was about procrastination :) At this point I can't help, but embed this link here =)


These days I started getting excited about a new project in my mind..I don't know whether I can maintain progress on it, or not, but I'm really excited now.. As being a person who tries to be happy and likes taking risks as long as it is safe (?!).. I quit my job and started thinking about this project of mine.. I gave myself a bit of time to go into action..And if I don't, I promise I'll go back to my lovely job :) One of my best friends who gives me a real support about my project sent me this link and it really makes sense at this point..

And if you are wondering what the project is about, if you know me a little bit, probably you'd guess it's something about my sister..So..wish me luck about it =)

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/497084877591335755/

Are you a procrastinator?

The intervals between the posts started getting longer..And I thought procrastination would be a good topic start up again..

I noticed that since 5 months, I have been procrastinating anything that I want to do..

I really want to do at least 1 thing from my "Do before you die" list before 2010 ends..May be the list is way too unrealistic..But starting is priceless, isn't it? And I, especially, used the verb "Learn", I don't want to be a pro at each of them, I just want to learn..I just want to start..

Here is a few realistic samples from my utopic list:
-Get a professional camera, learn how to use it
-Learn one more language (Spanish/Italian)
-Learn a dance (Salsa/Tango)
-Yoga certificate
-Learn playing piano
-Trips around the world
-Write a book
-Discover your dream job and do it..

Actually I kind of started..Got a camera..Now it's time for practice..

So procrastination..I tried to think about it and analyze its nature..And I reached the rules below:

«http://www.suberapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/pto_thumb_300x300.jpg»

The art of procrastination
*Make at least 1 excuse for each specific situation
*Make yourself believe that you will start the other day
*Pity yourself and make yourself believe that you are too tired to start
*Hard part- make others believe that you don't have time and you are too tired to start
*Put small goals before starting work such as watching 1 episode himym, calling a friend, cleaning home (if your main aim is not cleaning)
*Always believe that a time except the moment you are in is a better time to start..

Warning: If you are a good procrastinator, questions such as "Do I really have to do this thing??" starts popping up in your mind and you may end up thinking that you don't really need to do anything -> This is the dangerous part!

Think it as a test; How many items above do you think fits you? If your result is(3-4+), Congratz! You are a procrastinator!

PS: I don't accept any responsibilities.. =)

Down Sendromu Farkindalik Aktiviteleri

3 Eylul'de Istinye Park'ta cok ama cok guzel bir sergiyle baslayan bu aktiviteleri haber vermekte oldukca geciktim aslinda..Eger Down Sendromunun ne oldugunu merak ediyorsaniz, cok uzaklarda bi yerlerde olsa da Down'lu bir tanidiginiz varsa, Down Sendromu nedir ki diyorsaniz veya benim gibi hayatinizda asik oldugunuz cok ozel bir Down varsa bu aktivitelere bi yerinden katilmanizi siddetle tavsiye ediyorum...

Mesela 11 Ekim'e kadar Beyoglu Galatasaray'da olacak sergiyi kacirmayin kesinlikle..Ozellikle de sergide yer alan fotograflari kimin cektigini okuyunca etkilenmemek mumkun degil..

Bir de tabi ki pazar gunu olan dostluk yuruyusu var..3 Ekim Pazar saat 15:00'te Galatarasay-Tunel arasinda Beyoglu Belediye Baskani Ahmet Misbah Demircan'in da katilimiyla bu tatli insanlarla ve onlar icin, onlari biraz daha tanimak ve tanitabilmek icin yuruyecegiz hep beraberce..

Siz de bu ozel insanlarla tanismak istiyorsaniz mutlaka gelin olur mu, huzur garantili!

Hey you!

It’s been a very long time since I wrote my last post..I don’t know whether it’s a coincidence, or not, but since I changed the name of my blog to “Everything, Anything” , it became a lot more difficult to write something . I guess I should have been more specific..

What I’ve done..What have changed in my life..Not so many things..Just changed a country, a city, a job, friends and anything that I used to..that’s all..(=

I left the US and moved back to Turkey, but to “Istanbul” this time with a new job..I was trying to find one in the United States, but I wasn’t so lucky..My luck started with my entrance to the US..It was September 16 when I entered to the US and Lehman Brothers cited a bank debt of $613 billion..But I didn’t lose my hope and had one of the best years in my life in Santa Barbara..it was all perfect living in somewhere you can reach the ocean in 5 minutes..

My certification program was also one of the best choices I’ve ever made in my life..I learned lot of lots of things in the marketing certification program (me at pg 6 =)) with all the perfect instructors, program curriculum, projects that helped me to find out that how much I love creating ideas..And gained lots of friends (Alexi & Anja♡)..

After completing the program, I had about 3-4 months for looking for a job, but I was able to use only 1 month because of personal reasons (may be this is the thing called fate)..I was interviewed with Google and Zappos(♡ the company of my dreams). These both didn’t go well. (Zappos – I haven’t given up yet =))

This is now all I have from the United States =)



And in a way, I’m here in Turkey again..Working..and trying to get used to my new life..

I was supposed to be working in the US according to my plans while leaving Ankara, but I found myself changing cities and even countries..Life’s changing & time’s passing so quickly without you even notice..And I don’t really have any clue what’s going to be next..The only thing I know that there are so many things that I want to do and I haven’t actually started doing them..I’m still trying to figure out myself and have the best that I can, live the best I can..I’m happy as who I am and I’m trying to create fine moments in my life that is going to help to sustain and power this happiness..that’s the aim of my life..If you want to join, you’re always welcome =)

I think the presentation below about delivering happiness that Tony Hsieh (Zappos CEO) prepared as a present to little Ava(11) to teach a few important things about life probably summarizes most of the things I’ve tried to say..

Ava 11th Birthday - Delivering Happiness

View more presentations from zappos.

See you soon...

After I saw Holland, I'd say, I'd go to Holland again and again

I just read a poem of Emily Perl Kingsley about having a child with disability and I wanted to share it with you..This poem tells a lot and better than most of the sources..



WELCOME TO HOLLAND
by
Emily Perl Kingsley.


c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.