Friends of Kardelen is a 501(c)(3) U.S. charity incorporated to support the care of the disabled & their families in Turkey. Friends of Kardelen is called to reveal God in Turkey by empowering peoplewith disabilities and their families.

Finding A Perfect Fit: Wheelchair Clinics

Recently, we invited a group of teenagers, young adults and their families to the Streams of Mercy ministry center to be assessed and fitted for custom wheelchairs. This was an opportunity to assess for improved orthopedic equipment that can be adapted to the unique needs of each individual. Kardelen staff, our doctor of physical therapy, Dr. Micah Morris, and our partners from KIFAS Orthopedics, spent time attentively serving each individual. The children and families that came to the Wheelchair Clinic were dealing with disabilities such as Muscular Dystrophy, Spina Bifida, and Cerebral

Palsy - and were looking for new hope and some answers to their daily struggle to live and move. The families learned new ideas about solutions to seating as well as mobility. Everyone went away deeply encouraged and energized. We are so thankful for special people like Erdal (19), Samet (8), Hasan (11), and Mehmet (10).

Erdal (Ayr-dahl) and his elderly parents traveled from one of the furthest towns in the Ankara province into the city center for the wheelchair clinic. Erdal’s eyes were bright and his attempts at speaking a few words of English showed us immediately that he was an intelligent and sensitive young man.  It was clear his parents were aging and  needed guidance and encouragement on how to support their son. His elderly father still carried him up and down the four story apartment building each time Erdal wanted to go outside. The effects of his muscular dystrophy were glaringly evident as Dr. Morris assesed his condition. Unfortunately, Erdal’s state-donated wheelchair had actually been detrimental to his spinal condition. The whole family was thrilled that he’d be getting a custom-fit chair. He’s looking forward to the burgundy-colored Whirlwind model which Ken Abi (Big brother Ken) from KIFAS Orthopedics is preparing for him.

New Initiatives

1) Crxtown Books is a Christian on-line bookstore that got connected to us via a Kardelen supporter. Crxtown are committed to sharing their profits with organizations like ours and have decided that a percentage of every book ordered through them online will go to your ‘ministry of choice’. visit www.crxtown.com

2) Help us win a $10,000 grant as part of the Giving of Life: Special Needs Campaign.Visit their website, www.givingoflife.com and vote for our ministry! All you need to do is vote!

3)  Donate to Kardelen through facebook Causes. Log into facebook and search ‘Support the Kardelen Kids!’. ‘Like’ our Friends of Kardelen facebook page so that you can share our stories, photos and videos with your friends.