If Dilan, who was born without 2 arms from the elbows and without 2 legs above the knee can successfully continue university education and make first of all herself, including her family, who trusted her with it and Turkey proud, and is working round the clock to achieve new successes; with her statement: “If I can do it, anyone can.”
We continued Heath, Safety and Security Conversations with the topic "Overcoming the Barriers with Dilan ONĞULU" under the coordination of our University’s Occupational Health and Safety Department and Occupational Health and Safety Club organized jointly with Heath, Safety and Security Group. Our guest was Paralympic champion of Turkey S1 category and Social Services Technician; Dilan ONĞULU.
During the conversation we held with Dilan ONĞULU, she stated that every morning when she was in front of the mirror, she embraced herself lovingly, aimed what she would do in the future, never lost her faith and directed her life in this way. Dilan, who never saw her disability as a disadvantage and learned literacy by her own efforts without going to school, started primary school at the age of 9, and entered the Medical Documentation and Secretariat department at Medipol University by using her mouth. Because she aimed to be the first Social Services Worker in the World and in Turkey, she transferred to Medipol University Social Services Department in the spring semester and graduated from Social Services Department. She has also won 7 gold medals in Swimming Championships of Turkey. Dilan, who was introduced to swimming in the 11th grade, participated in the competition organized between districts within the first month and received her first medal. Subsequently, she continued to receive various medals and win first places in the swimming branch.
Stating that she will study a second university again and wants to enlighten herself in the light of new information, Dilan also said that she would very much like to compete in the World Paralympic Championship if the S1 category is opened. She emphasized that the real disability is in the hearts and in the brain, not in the limbs, the disability should never be an obstacle to what we will do, and she continues to progress by turning crises into opportunities.
We thank her and all the participants who attended the event and enriched our conversation with their presence and questions. In addition, we hope that the new steps she will take in her life will always lead her to new successes.
Our valuable students who contributed to news writing; thank you to Makbule EREN, Elif BARAN, Sena ŞÜLEKOĞLU.
This content was updated on 04/12/2020.