KAAN Model's Designer Who Lost 2 Arms: Yusuf Akgün's Inspiring Story

Yusuf Akgün, after the PKK's attack on the village school in 1992, temporarily stopped his education and started working as a shepherd. While grazing sheep, Akgün climbed the high-voltage power line on the Iğdır-Ağrı highway and came into contact with the cables, causing a short circuit.

Akgün fell and his legs got stuck to the power line. He managed to survive but lost both of his arms. Akgün was taken to the hospital in Iğdır, Kars, and Erzurum for treatment. His doctors recommended amputating his left leg, but his father refused.

Thanks to the efforts of the then-municipal deputy Adil Aşırım, Akgün was taken to Ankara for further treatment. He was placed under state protection and learned to live independently.

Akgün first learned to eat and dress himself, and then learned to brush his teeth with his mouth. He started drawing with his mouth and won prizes in art competitions.

In 1998, Akgün won the first prize in a painting competition organized by the Turkish Air Force Command. He also excelled in sports, winning regional and national titles in swimming and athletics.

In 2005, Akgün became the world's fifth in his field. He completed his undergraduate degree in fashion, textiles, and design at a private university in Ankara.

Akgün has been working as a model designer for the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and the Turkish Defence Industry (SSB). He has also been involved in various charitable activities to raise awareness about disability.

Akgün's story was shared with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2018, and he was accepted into a graduate program.

Today, Akgün works as a public servant and continues to work on design projects for the Turkish Defence Industry.

‘My treatment lasted for months. The doctors said my leg needed to be amputated. My father took me out of the hospital and said 'You've lost your arms, at least keep your leg.' We did our best to treat him. Later, he received treatment in Ankara and his leg was saved. Today, seeing him at this point fills us with pride.’