Disabled teacher inspires students

After losing his hand in a fire accident in his childhood, Fethi Ahmet Öner devoted his life to teaching in the Central Anatolian province of Kayseri, inspiring his students with his life journey. 

Öner lost his father in the eastern province of Elazığ when he was just 2 years old. In a fire that broke out in the house where he lived with his mother, he suffered severe burns on his body and face and lost his right hand. He used to wear gloves to school to cover the burns, and despite all the hardships, he did not give up and passed the university exam. 

After graduating from Erciyes University's Department of Biology, he pursued a career in teaching. Serving in the profession for the last 21 years, Öner participated in many projects and set an example to his students with his life journey. 

"When I was young, I met with a fire accident at home. I had burn scars on some parts of my body. I had surgery after surgery, and I was very worn out," he said.

"After I became disabled, my struggle for life increased even more. I have always lived with hardships throughout my life. I have always struggled to overcome prejudices in society. I have come this far by overcoming all kinds of obstacles," he added. 

Explaining that he was very uncomfortable when he first started primary school because of expressions such as "his hand is burned," Öner said, "What really hinders the disabled is the prejudiced people outside. At first, I only dreamed of becoming a biologist." 

"Why shouldn't there be a disabled governor? We can do everything when given the opportunity. As long as artificial obstacles are not created for us," he stressed.

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