A Story Book For Children In Turkey About Post-Polio Syndrome
Once upon a time, in a beautiful land called Turkey, there was a little boy named Ali. Ali loved playing football with his friends and exploring the colorful streets of his neighborhood. But one day, something unexpected happened to Ali.
Ali had a condition called Post-polio syndrome. It was a bit like a magical spell that affected his muscles and made them weaker. It happened because when Ali was a baby, he had a sickness called polio. But don’t worry, Ali was a brave little boy, and he didn’t let this condition stop him from having fun!
Ali’s favorite place to play was a big park called Göztepe Park. It had tall trees, a sparkling lake, and a playground with swings and slides. Ali’s friends knew about his condition, and they always made sure to include him in their games.
One sunny day, Ali’s friends decided to have a special race in the park. They called it the “Göztepe Dash.” Ali was excited to join in, but he knew he couldn’t run as fast as his friends. However, Ali had a secret weapon – his determination!
As the race started, Ali cheered on his friends, shouting, “Gel, gel!” (which means “Come on, come on!” in Turkish). He watched as his friends sprinted ahead, but Ali didn’t give up. He knew he had to find a way to participate.
Ali noticed a little red bicycle parked near the race track. It belonged to his friend, Mehmet. Ali had never ridden a bicycle before, but he had seen Mehmet do it many times. With a spark of excitement in his eyes, Ali hopped on the bike and started pedaling.
The other children were surprised to see Ali on a bicycle, but they cheered him on, shouting, “Ali, sen yaparsın!” (which means “Ali, you can do it!” in Turkish). Ali pedaled with all his might, his determination pushing him forward.
As Ali rode his bike, he felt the wind in his hair and the joy in his heart. He didn’t win the race, but he won something even more important – the admiration and respect of his friends. They realized that even though Ali had a condition, he was just as strong and brave as anyone else.
From that day on, Ali became known as the “Göztepe Hero.” He showed everyone that having Post-polio syndrome didn’t mean you couldn’t enjoy life and have fun. Ali continued to explore his neighborhood, play football with his friends, and ride his bike in Göztepe Park.
And every night, as Ali lay in bed, he would dream of new adventures and smile, knowing that he had the power to overcome any challenge that came his way.
The end. Goodnight, little one, and remember, just like Ali, you are strong and brave too!
