TITLE: A Secret Down Story

Kaan was only three months old when he was diagnosed with Down syndrome. While his mother Meral accepted the situation, his father did not: He obliged Meral to keep it a secret, since he knew that his parents’ "cousin marriage" was the cause of the syndrome, just as the doctors had confirmed. Meral, who didn’t know about the consanguinity of her husband’s parents, was now forced to hide his son from anyone.

Keeping the secret not only from friends but also from family and neighbors was like living in hiding for Meral, since she had to take care of Kaan consistently at home. So this "secret Down story” turned Meral and Kaan’s life into a prison, as Meral defines.

After eight years of marriage and living in hiding, Meral got divorced from her husband, which meant a liberation for both Kaan and herself.

Today, Meral performs a spectacle entitled; "Happy birthday my angel" during which she unveils her eight-year secret story to raise awareness for Down syndrome, and to fight against cousin marriage.

AUTHOR: Gupse Tokgöz (Turkey)