He dedicated his life to his son: Father on the verge of homelessness

Living in the Medar neighborhood of Manisa's Akhisar district, 64-year-old Zeki Eyilik has been acting as both mother and father to his son, who has had cerebral palsy for 38 years.

Devoting his entire life to his son Ertan, Zeki Eyilik explained that his son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after a seizure before he turned one, and that he lost his wife a few months later, adding that he has looked after his child like the apple of his eye for 38 years. Zeki Eyilik, who acts as both mother and father to his son Ertan Eyilik, said that even the slightest smile on his son's face means the world to him. Noting that like every father, he wishes to see his son walk on Father's Day, but that even his son's every breath means the world to him, father Eyilik stated that the two-room house they live in was inherited from his father and will be put up for sale by the heirs in the coming days. Eyilik, who is on the verge of becoming homeless while caring for his son, stated that his biggest concern is who will look after his son if something happens to him.

ON THE VERGE OF HOMELESSNESS

Expressing that he started caring for his son when he was just 26 years old and has looked after him alone like the apple of his eye for 38 years, Zeki Eyilik said, "He had a severe seizure before he was one year old. After the seizure, we started his treatment; he developed cerebral palsy. This condition lasts a lifetime. Occasionally my siblings come and look after him, they help out. When I need to go to Akhisar to buy medicine, they come and stay by his side. May God be pleased with them, social services help, and I receive a care allowance. I am able to meet his needs. May God be a thousand times pleased with my state. It is difficult, but he is one's own child. I will look after him for the rest of my life. It is my duty. I will look after him as long as I live. My biggest worry is what will happen to my son if something happens to me. We have a housing problem these days. This house I live in is an inheritance and will be sold. I don't know what to do. AK Party Group Deputy Chairman Bahadır Yenişehirlioğlu had the roof of this house repaired and provided assistance with household goods. May God be pleased with him. Since the house is unhealthy, if a philanthropist comes forward and helps with housing, may God be pleased with them."

I AM HAPPY WHILE CARING FOR HIM

Explaining that he is happy while caring for his son and does not worry about the difficulties he faces, Eyilik said, "It would make me very happy to see my son walk on Father's Day, but Father's Day is a sad occasion. This is a test given to us. He is my companion. I have gotten used to it over the years. I will look after my son as long as I live. I hope he has a long life. May God grant goodness and health to fathers who have children with disabilities this Father's Day. My son was 1 year old when his mother passed away. I took over his care; God gave him life, and he has reached 38 years of age. I am happy while caring for him. Thank God, I have no health problems. I haven't even gone to a doctor for myself in 20 years."

News Source: İHA