Many many years ago Serkan was one of the winners of an OIFE photo contest (photo on the right). The photo was showing him cheering for his favourite Turkish football club Fenerbahçe. We decided to get in touch and ask how he’s doing, what his life has brought in the meantime and if his interest for football is still as big as it was back then.

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I was born in 1978, in Balıkesir province of Turkey, where I lived for three years. When I was born, neither my parents nor the doctors noticed anything wrong. But when I was only 10 days old, I broke my arm. My parents didn’t know what to do when they realized I couldn’t move my arm. They panicked; I believe. I presume some other fractures followed until I was diagnosed with OI at the GATA Military Hospital in Ankara when I was 3.5 months old.

I learned how to read and write when I was just 3.5 years old, but as it was almost impossible for a tiny guy with brittle bones to attend a regular school among regular kids in Turkey. I had to earn my school diplomas through distance learning. My father started a real estate business after retiring from the military, and I worked with him for a while.

A neighbor, actor Melih Ekener, introduced me to radio, and we started a live broadcast on a national radio channel. This was my first experience in show business, and I loved it. I later acted in the TV series “Hayat Bağları” (Life Ties) for almost 50 episodes between 2002-2003. While I received many other offers, I had to decline most due to the challenges of being on set for extended periods, though I did act in a few local films. In 2004, I began a new chapter by becoming the admin of a website for supporters of the Turkish football club Fenerbahçe and hosting programs on Fenerbahçe TV, including celebrity interviews. In 2019, I started a talent management business to provide actors for movies and TV series, which I currently run.

How do you live?

I own a studio apartment where I’ve been living for the last four years. Unfortunately, it’s not very accessible for a disabled person. The bathroom is small and not accessible by a power wheelchair. While I can transfer between my wheelchair and the bed, I need assistance with most other tasks. My parents, my older sister, and niece live nearby, so I go to my parents’ place daily for bathroom use. This situation is tough for both me and my family. My parents are elderly, but my older brother, who lives a bit further away, often comes to assist. If he’s not available, my older sister helps. Since the apartment rules don’t allow modifications, I hope to move to a more accessible and convenient place when I can afford it. 

In what way has OI affected your career?

I couldn’t have a formal education due to my disease, which is perhaps the biggest adverse effect of OI on my career. Beyond that, my disability impacts my life more in terms of mobility and getting around rather than my career itself. 

You are a big fan of Fenerbahce, the famous Turkish soccer team. How did it come about that you now work for this football club and what exactly do you do?

I first met Fenerbahce through the sons of the former President of Fenerbahce. One of his sons, a famous Turkish businessman, Adnan Sen, owns the web site of the Fenerbahce fans. Having met Mr. Adnan Sen in 2004, I began working for him and eventually became the admin of the web site.

Since 2004, I’ve met nearly everyone involved with Fenerbahçe, from the current President, Mr. Ali Koç, to board members, famous Turkish anchorman Mr. Uğur Dündar, soccer players, TV programmers, and managers. Being easy-going and sincere, I make friends easily. I’m invited by the Fenerbahçe management to watch games in Istanbul from the governing lounge alongside top managers and sometimes the President. I also visit the players’ training sessions to interview them.

Two years ago, I was offered to host a TV show where I interview celebrities who are fans of Fenerbahçe. It is broadcast every Sunday on the Fenerbahçe TV channel. When I’m out in public, many people recognize me, come to talk, and even take pictures with me. 

What is behind your project “the disobedients”?

I’m really fed up with what I call disobedient people, especially rude drivers who block wheelchair exits on sidewalks. Because of them, I must drive my powerchair in the middle of the road, sometimes in heavy traffic, which is very dangerous. I’ve had severe quarrels with these disobedient people and have publicized these incidents on social media, TV programs, and even on the main news of national TV channels. 

You also run your own TV program. What will your viewers see? 

Yes, I run a TV program called “Sekoloji.tv.” It’s not a live TV show; I host it on YouTube. The program mainly features my interviews with celebrities, conducted in my office. My website also has links to Sekoloji.tv.

What was the scariest experience in your life?

In 2017, I was heading home from the Fenerbahçe Military Resort by myself in my power wheelchair. There was nobody around, and it was a long way to go in a power wheelchair all by myself. If my mom knew, she would have had a heart attack! Suddenly, two big stray dogs appeared out of nowhere and started running towards me. I was scared to death and went full speed. Thankfully, they eventually stopped chasing me. That was the scariest experience of my life.

What was one of the happiest moments in your life?

There have been many happy moments in my life, but I remember one specific moment. In September 2013, during my very first trip abroad, we were crossing the Turkish border into Bulgaria. I felt incredibly happy at that moment. These European trips have been the happiest and nicest experiences I’ve ever had in my entire life.

Many people with disabilities are often stared at. How do you deal with it when this happens?

Unfortunately, some people here treat you like a beggar if you’re in a wheelchair and try to give you money. I’ve experienced this several times. However, as someone at peace with himself, I don’t let it bother me. I leave these incidents behind with a bitter smile. As a happy camper, I don’t care at all. I just greet them and go my way.

Your brother Bülent says, “I am your walking legs, so wherever you would like to go whatever you would like to do we’ll do it together”. What does family mean to you?

Family means a lot to me. People keep saying if I didn’t have such a wonderful family, things could have been different! My older sister; my parents and my niece all live in my vicinity. My older brother Bülent was in the Navy all his life and left home when he was 13 years old to attend the boarding Naval High School only two weeks before I was born. When I was little and when mom was healthier, she was taking care of my needs i.e. bathroom, getting around etc. After a while Bülent took over all these and more. He began taking me all over the place. He used to put it this way and used to tell me “I am your walking legs, so wherever you would like to go whatever you would like to do we’ll do it together”. So, we travelled a lot. He took me