“Thanks to C-ESSN, I Meet the Needs of My Son with ASD Diagnosis”
The life quality of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to developmental differences can be improved through special education and medical support. “Complementary Emergency Social Safety Net (C-ESSN)” Project, which is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Ministry of Family and Social Services in cooperation with Türk Kızılay provides an opportunity for the most vulnerable foreigners in our country to access the services they need more easily; just as in the case of Gabes family, which can now regularly meet the special needs of their son, Haşim diagnosed with ASD.
Ahmed Gabes (47, Syrian) hosted us at their home in Kahramanmaraş and shared the story of how they came all the way from Aleppo to Turkey in 2013 with his wife, his son Haşim and his other children.
“The Times that We Thought Would Never End, Turned into a Memory”
Ahmed, mentioning he used to serve as an imam in Syria and a house near the mosque was allocated to his family as a lodging, says, “Life was good for us until the crisis in our country. I had a regular job, a home atmosphere that suited my son, Haşim's needs. My children who had started school were successful in their lessons. Haşim, who is a very calm child when his circle is calm as well, was the apple of our family's eye back then, as he is today. Those conflict and crisis times in Aleppo that we thought would never end have turned into a memory now.”
The Gabes family wakes up one morning with the sound of a noise louder than usual, and when they look out the window, they see that the mosque where Ahmed Bey worked has now turned into a ruin. Ahmed Bey describes the rest of the day that started their new life in Turkey as follows:
The Gabes Family, who had to Immigrate to Turkey After the Difficulties They Experienced, was placed in One of the Temporary Shelters in Turkey.
“Our actions were like reflexes. I remember, I’m hugging Hashim, who had just turned 6, rushing out and putting him in the car. My wife picked up our other children. It turns out that moment was our last time getting out of our house. If we had lingered for a while to take up our belongings and Haşim's medicine, we would have been under the rubbles of our house.
“We Needed Time to Get Used to the Normal again”
Ahmed Bey, stating that they lived their life in a tent with a flood of emotions in which the feelings of "gratitude, fear, anxiety and confusion" were intertwined, says, "We were lack of even the most basic needs during our last year in Syria. We rarely had electricity and water running at homes. There was constantly a jet-plane flying over our head. We needed time to get used to the normal again”
The Gabes Family, who had to start their entire life from scratch, experienced a different challenge than many other families, as they could not take the medicines that Haşim might need in the course of their escape. Haşim, suffering adaptation problems even in the slightest change in his order, developed neurological problems further as they moved from home to tent life. While the other members of the family were getting over the effects of the shock day by day, Haşim on the other hand started to get more and more difficulty with each passing day.
Ahmed Bey, saying “We needed, as soon as possible, to settle down in a house where we could establish the life that my son was used to”. He learned from a Turkish official, working in the area where his tents were located, that they could get support in relation to ASD in Kahramanmaraş State Hospital and apply to KIZILAYKART Programs.
“Who Knows, Maybe Haşim Will Tell His Story on His Own Next Time”
Ahmed Bey, saying that he went to Kahramanmaraş in that very month, rented a house and applied to KIZILAYKART, describes his feelings as follows:
“We were able to pay the rent of our house thanks to KIZILAYKART. I enrolled my children in school. I took my son to the hospital. As the doctors say, Haşim needs special care on a regular basis. Even though I tried my best as a father, there were months when I couldn't meet my son's needs. Thankfully, we met with C-ESSN. With the monthly assistance of the C-ESSN Project, we can afford my son's treatment easier. I think my son and all the other children with autism are angels on earth. He Allah’s gift to me. Haşim is now 14 years old, his social and emotional development is progressing day by day. Who knows, maybe Haşim will want to talk to you and tell his story on his own on your next visit. Until then, I, on behalf of Haşim and my family, want to thank everyone who made it possible for us to receive this aid.”
