“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6: 3-4)
We continue to voice the struggles of those in the Armenian community who are in difficult circumstances. I was aware that it would be difficult to speak with the people whose doors I knocked on. They were expecting me; we had spoken on the phone. I rang the bell and waited at the door for about five minutes before it finally opened. The 94-year-old mother, having difficulty walking, greeted me with slow steps and a smile. When I entered, I saw her daughter, Z.K., sitting on a sofa, smiling at me. Her carefully combed hair, spotless clothes, and pristine home left me in admiration. It was as if they were not the protagonists of an environment that grew more somber as we spoke... 72-year-old Z.K. is ill and paralyzed. She is cared for by her 94-year-old mother. They are experiencing serious health problems and are struggling to meet rent, healthcare, and other expenses.
How old is your mother?
She is 94.
Do the two of you live alone? Does your 94-year-old mother care for you?
Yes. That is correct. She cooks our meals, washes our clothes, and tries to manage the house.
How old are you?
I was born in Istanbul in 1954.
Have you ever worked?
I can say I have never actually worked. In my youth, I worked for a few months at an antique carpet repair shop, that’s all. The burden of the household was on my father, but my mother worked as well.
What was your mother’s occupation?
She was a nurse’s aide at our hospital (Surp Pırgiç).
Were you ever married? Do you have children or siblings?
I never married. I have no children. I have siblings. One of my brothers passed away during his military service. The other is an alcoholic. I do not speak with my sister due to certain problems. I have no refuge other than God and my mother.
When did your health problems begin?
I developed colitis in 1996. I received treatment and underwent surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery was not successful. Complications developed afterward. My intestine was accidentally perforated, and I ended up in this state. Now, those who performed that surgery are out enjoying life, while I am begging for death.
I believe you have an open wound on your abdomen?
Yes. There is an inflammatory leakage. I have to dress and clean it myself. If I drink water, it leaks out of my stomach.
When did you suffer a stroke?
I had a brain hemorrhage eight years ago. My left arm and leg are paralyzed. Before that, I could walk more or less, go outside, and get some fresh air. Now, I can barely move at home even with a walker. My mother stands behind me so I don’t fall, and I try to walk with the walker using one leg and one arm. I fell the other day; the neighbors came and picked me up, bless them.
Do you have other illnesses?
I cannot eat. I have kidney failure. I have cardiac arrhythmia. I have a herniated disc. I have restless leg syndrome. I have everything, my dear.
You say you clean yourself. Isn't that difficult?
How could it not be? I have leakage every 10-15 minutes. The inflammation never dries up. I am always wrapped in cotton so that we don’t soil the bed and blankets when we sleep.
Which hospital do you go to in emergencies?
They took me to Bakırköy State Hospital by ambulance a few times. They took me there by ambulance, but returning home by our own means after treatment was very difficult. Once, a neighbor carried me into the house by placing me on a rug.
Under normal circumstances, how should patients like you receive care? Or do they do their own dressings?
No, of course not. Those who have the means have their dressings done. But I don't have the means. I use cotton. There are times when I can't even find that. Then, I have to cut up bedsheets at home and use them for my dressings.
Is there any income entering this house?
My mother has a retirement pension. My father wasn't insured, so nothing was left from him. I have a 79% disability ID from the state. The state gives me 6,000 lira in disability aid. We add 600 TL to that and pay our rent.
Do you rent this home?
It’s a rental. We currently pay 6,600 TL, but we are in court. The landlord wants a rent increase. We had three months of rent debt, which was paid by the Bakırköy Church. I heard my landlord wants 30,000 TL; I don't have 30 cents, let alone 30,000, to pay. We haven't been able to pay the apartment maintenance fee for a year either. Creditors come constantly asking for money. We will end up on the street.
Are you affiliated with the Bakırköy Church Poor Relief Committee?
Yes. I receive 2,000 lira a month in aid. Two food parcels arrive every month from the Patriarchate. It’s a parcel mostly consisting of legumes. Chicken comes twice a year, at Easter and Christmas. And meat comes once a year from the "Love Tables" of the Bakırköy Church. Patients like me apparently need protein and meat, but unfortunately, we cannot get them.
Natural gas, water, electricity, medications... How are these needs paid for with these pensions?
I owe money to everyone. Because my special needs are many. I have blood medication that must be purchased. I use five packs of cotton on my stomach every day. Every day, I am in great need of burn cream, isotonic saline, cotton, and gauze. I have to cover these myself—or rather, I can't cover them.
It is also a difficult situation psychologically.
My life is already over. I can’t go out, I can’t eat what I want, I can’t wear what I want, I can’t do what I want at home. I don’t even see people. I have no strength left to endure. I am just breathing.
After I became paralyzed, I thought about killing myself every day. I still do. I tried to throw myself from the balcony, but it didn't work. My mother saw me while I was taking pills; the woman fell while running to stop me, and I couldn't even pick her up off the floor.
What would make you feel a little better? What do you need to hold on to life?
If there were a foundation-church house somewhere we could sit... If our rent were paid, our bills covered, and my medical supplies provided, maybe I would want to live.
Z.K., whose name I do not wish to share at this stage, told me about the difficulties she experienced with all her sincerity, as you have read. It is clear that this elderly mother and daughter need medical, financial, and humanitarian aid as soon as possible. It is also clear that the cries for help rising from our community are increasing day by day...
