Kemal Köse (74), who is visually impaired from birth, and his sister Süheyla Köse (56), who live in Bereket village of Artvin's Ardanuç district, have been shouldering life together for more than half a century. The biggest supporters of the two brothers, who share the daily chores of village life, are their brothers Muhammet and Oktay Köse.
Kemal Köse takes care of the animals, chops wood, lights the stove and works in the garden. Köse, who knows the village he lives in and the roads he uses by heart, can walk to the district center, which is 17 kilometers away. Süheyla Köse cooks food and bread, runs the house, collects produce from the garden and milks milk. Like his older brother, Oda knows the village and the surroundings of the house by heart.
The biggest dream of Süheyla Köse, who shared the village life with her brother, was to study since her childhood. He took the first step towards this dream at the age of 36. Köse received braille, computer and independent movement training in the adult education he attended in Ankara, and then completed secondary and high school. He also passed the university exam and was placed in Atatürk University, Open Education Faculty, Department of Public Relations and Promotion.
HE FULFILLED HIS FATHER'S WISH WITH HIS DIPLOMA
The support of her father, Latif Köse, had an important place in Süheyla Köse's education journey. Latif Köse read the textbooks to his daughter during her secondary school years. During his university education, his family members and friends helped him by voicing the books.
Latif Köse, who wanted to see his daughter with a university degree, died before Süheyla's graduation. Süheyla Köse, who completed her education and received her diploma at the age of 50, took him to her father's grave. Süheyla's life story was also turned into a children's book called "Süsü" by her brother Oktay Köse.
"THE SMELL OF THE PEN, ERASER AND BOOK IMPRESSED ME VERY MUCH"
Stating that her desire to read started in her childhood, Süheyla Köse said, "When I was six years old, my brothers took me to school for vaccination. While the children were playing, I thought, 'I wish I could come to school, too.' The smell of the pencil, eraser and book impressed me greatly. My father read my secondary school books. I remember sometimes trying to read with a kerosene lamp when the electricity was cut off."
Calling on families to support the education of their disabled children, Süheyla Köse said, "They should instill self-confidence in their children. They should help them to do something. No parent lives forever. Their children should at least gain enough self-confidence to pour themselves a bowl of soup or buy a glass of water. Education is also very important. My disabled friends should not be resentful of life either. Life is not that bad, it is worth the struggle. The smell of a flower, hugging a cat, even touching an animal is a way to connect to life." "reason," he said.
"THANK GOD WE DON'T NEED ANYONE"
Stating that they continue their life in the village with their own means, Kemal Köse said, "Thank God, we do not need anyone. We manage ourselves." Stating that he is proud of his sister's success, Köse said, "I congratulate her. She did good things, she succeeded. There were no such opportunities in our time."
Oktay Köse, who said that growing up with Süheyla and Kemal changed his perspective on life, said, "When you blend the perspective of a healthy person on an event with the perspective of a disabled person, something different emerges. You grow up differently, conscientiously and humanely. You can look at the events around you from a different perspective, and your ability to empathize improves a lot."
Stating that he turned Süheyla's life story into a children's book called "Süsü", Köse said, "I wrote it to set an example for children of what a disabled person can achieve if the path is opened."
