EDA Topçuoğlu, a teacher living in İzmir, decided to become a foster mum and says her life is now complete.

Topçuoğlu, 36, who lives in Karşıyaka and works as a pre-school teacher in a special education centre, decided to adopt a boy four years ago through a friend.

Topçuoğlu, who took care of children within the body of İzmir Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, started to spend time with BB who was diagnosed with intellectual disability.

After a while, Topçuoğlu applied to be the foster family of the child with whom they started to spend weekends. Topçuoğlu, who is single, was appointed as BB’s foster family 2 years ago.

She started a new life with his son, BB, who was an inclusion student in the second grade of a primary school.

Eda Topçuoğlu said that she had some reservations while being a foster family, but when she saw that BB’s face was smiling over time, she gained confidence. Stating that the BB was diagnosed with mild intellectual disability and attention deficit and hyperactivity, Topçuoğlu said:

“When I first met, I realized that something was not quite right, but I loved him very much.

“I knew the process because I worked in special education. We went to the doctor. He passed the tests. He also has trouble adapting. He also has some physical disabilities. Our process was going to and from the hospital. Right now, our problems are big.

“We can say that we got some of it back on track. Our lives are in order. We have a very enjoyable time. We became a very nice family with him. We are both friends and mother and son.”

Expressing that she received support from her 61-year-old aunt, İnci Kalyoncu, in the care of her son, Topçuoğlu noted that all the people around her are trying to make BB happy.

Topçuoğlu said that she experienced radical changes in her life with BB and realized that she spent her happiest moments with her son. “He touches my life too. He added meaning to my life. I enjoy everything we do together.” he said.

Reminding that there are many children who are taken care of by the state in care homes, Topçuoğlu expressed that she was surprised that the people around him, as a single person, were protective of a child.

Topçuoğlu said: “They all need love. There are families that are suitable. They can all be protective. I am a single foster mother. It is not necessary to be married to be a foster family.”