They said 'He can't walk', but he became a swimmer

Ali Nihat Erol, 39, living in Ankara, has been struggling with Cerebral Ataxia, a disease that affects the cerebellum narrowing and nervous system since birth.

Erol, who has undergone an intensive treatment process since his childhood due to his illness that developed due to difficult birth and caused loss of balance with narrowing of the cerebellum, overcame all obstacles with the support and determination of his family, despite the doctors' words "He cannot walk, he will be blind, he cannot drive."

Ali Nihat Erol stated that he has been struggling with his health since the day he was born and said, "My treatment years started in Hacettepe. I received physical therapy for years and it continues with medication. My biggest support is family support. We went to the doctors all the time; they said, 'He can't walk', they said, 'He will go blind'. As we got older, they said, 'You can't drive.' They said and said, but thank God, I am in the state you see now. I also drive my car, I do everything on my own." "I can do it. I have been through very difficult times. I remember the days when I couldn't carry a glass," he said.

Stating that sports entered his life in primary school, Erol said, "We used to play football, get up and down, and play basketball. When I was little, I never wanted to be short, I always played basketball because it made me taller. In the first years of treatment, my doctor and my teachers at the place where I received physical therapy said, 'Your disease is related to the cerebellum, the best sport for you is swimming.'

Erol talked about his transition to a professional swimming career:

"I started in 2021. We turned professional last year in 2025. I am an athlete in the Paralympic Swimming Team of Yenimahalle Municipality. I have a friend from my workplace who encouraged me on this path, I thank him very much. I am glad that he encouraged me on this path. I entered with the aim of becoming a Paralympic national. We are climbing step by step, but if I have the chance in the future, I want to become a paralympic national. I also want to participate in the Bosphorus races; maybe the Dardanelles, Istanbul It could be a strait. Now that we've started on this path, I want to reap some of its fruits."

Explaining his faith and the difficulties he went through, Erol said, "The doctors I go to, such as my ophthalmologist, say, 'I don't see anyone who is as committed to life as you are.' From time to time, we fall, get tired, and say 'Enough'. I would be lying if I said it doesn't happen, but this is in my mind; every fall has a rise. Even if you fall, you get up, they hold your hand, pull you, lift you up."

Source: TRT Haber Yaşam RSS (Open Press / Translated Full Text)