Nihal Vural is a mother of two children, Fulya and Emre Vural, who live their lives in wheelchairs due to SMA disease. Nihal lost her husband to COVID-19 three years ago. The family had a specially designed panel van with a portable ramp to make it easier to take their children out, but it had been unused since the death of Nihal’s husband a year ago.
To ensure her children could still participate in activities and sports, Nihal made the decision to get her driver’s license last year. After passing her exam and getting her license, Nihal now has the ability to take her children to their activities and appointments at the Atakum Disability Life Center and other places they need to go to during the week.
Nihal mentioned that after losing her husband, their social life had come to a halt for a year. She realized she needed to take action to ensure her children could continue with their activities and social life. Despite never driving before, she enrolled in a driving course a year ago and obtained her license. Now, she drives her kids to wherever they need to go, showing her determination to continue with their lives.
Nihal admitted that she used to have a fear of driving but decided to overcome it in order to provide for her children. She mentioned that both her children were ill at one point, and she had to take her driving test while they were at the hospital. Despite facing challenges, she never gave up and eventually obtained her license, enabling her to support her children.
Emphasizing the importance of independence for people with disabilities, Emre Vural expressed how crucial it was for their family to have a vehicle accessible for them when their father passed away. He praised his mother for deciding to get her driver’s license at the age of 50, despite having no prior experience in driving or turning the key in a car. The family supported Nihal through this journey, ultimately leading to a newfound sense of freedom and mobility for all of them.
Nihal shared her experiences of the road trips they have taken since obtaining her license, highlighting how they visited various places together, including her husband’s grave, Trabzon, and Of. Emre expressed his gratitude for his mother, describing her as their travel companion, sports assistant, friend, and mother, showing how she played multiple roles in their lives. The Vural family’s story serves as an inspiration, showcasing the power of determination and unity in overcoming challenges and achieving newfound freedom and independence.
