Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş visited İstanbul Metin Sabancı Care, Rehabilitation and Family Counseling Center within the scope of World Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day on October 6 and met with young persons with cerebral palsy.

"The Main Goal of the Ministry is to Improve the Quality of Life"

Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, watching the music performance of persons with cerebral palsy, emphasized in her speech at the program that the main goal of the Ministry was to improve the quality of life of all citizens and stated that the Ministry was working to ensure that persons with disabilities existed as individuals who realized their potential and contributed to society.

Minister Göktaş stated that the Ministry allocated all resources to make persons with disabilities more visible in every field from arts to sports, from working life to trading, and reminded that more than 6.000 babies were diagnosed with cerebral palsy every year in Türkiye.

Pointing out the importance of early diagnosis in neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy, Minister Göktaş said: "Early accurate diagnosis enables patients to access physiotherapy and other treatment opportunities earlier. In addition, early diagnosis provides guidance and support to families and contributes to them being more aware and prepared for the treatment process."

“The Ministry Attaches Importance to Group Activities and Social Activities”

Stating that the Ministry carried out joint projects with stakeholders and in this context, the Ministry continued to touch the lives of persons with cerebral palsy with inclusive services and activities by understanding their special needs, Minister Göktaş continued her speech as follows:

"We are working to provide equal opportunities for persons with cerebral palsy to exist in all areas of life. We continue to improve the quality of residential and day care services. In care centers, we attach importance to group activities and social activities for individuals to adapt to social life in order to improve their skills."

Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş explained that İstanbul Metin Sabancı Care, Rehabilitation and Family Counseling Center had activities such as ceramics, music, puppetry, tile workshops and Bocce club, and that these workshops offered opportunities for both production and social interaction.

Stating that Ministry would continue to provide services for persons with disabilities and their families with an understanding leaving no one behind, Minister Göktaş added that the Ministry was open to all kinds of cooperation in this regard.

Minister Göktaş then visited the exhibition of products made by persons with cerebral palsy from handicrafts.

Visit to the Barrier-Free Living Center

Minister Göktaş then visited the Barrier-Free Living Center in Üsküdar and met with persons with disabilities.

Minister Göktaş visited the marbling workshop, filography workshop, handicraft workshop, maintenance and repair workshop in the center.

The meeting continued with the doctors working at the center and information about the work carried out at the center was provided, and the folk dance performances of the trainees were viewed.

Visit to Tebessüm Kahvesi Coffee House

Minister Göktaş then visited Tebessüm Kahvesi in Üsküdar Altunizade, where young persons with Down syndrome worked.

She chatted with young persons and celebrated the birthday of Ahmet Mustafa Gültekin, an employee with Down syndrome. She cut the cake with Mustafa.

Minister Göktaş presented the employees with Down syndrome with jerseys signed by the football players of their favorite teams.

The visit ended at İkinci Bahar Emekliler Kahvesi coffee house.