Alper Kaya

ALS/MND Association Turkey

I am born on August 28th, 1961.  I graduated from primary, secondary and high schools in Izmir, Turkey. 

In 1984, I graduated from Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Medicine. I worked for 4 years as a medical doctor and general practitioner in various cities in Turkey. 

Between 1988 and 1993, I specialized in the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University. I earned the title of Specialist in Ophthalmology in 1993.  I have worked as a Specialist in Ophthalmology in Urla, Izmir State Hospital between the years of 1994 and 2004. 

In 1990, I was diagnosed with ALS.  I was hospitalized with acute respiratory failure, pneumonia, and taken to intensive care unit on March 2004. I was discharged from the hospital with tracheostomy and ventilator support. 

I have retired in 2007. Now, I have been living with ALS for over 29 years. I have developed a program with its own virtual keyboard on the computer in collaboration with a friend who lives in Germany. I can still type on the computer with the help of the OnScreenKeys virtual keyboard.  I haven't lost my ability to eat and talk yet.

I have played classical and electric guitar extremely well before my diagnosis.  I have worked in some music bands, such as the Dream Explorer and Group Alloy, and have worked with the New Folk groups.  Recently I try to find ways of making music again. I am interested in assistive instrument and Technologies. 

I am married to Elçin in 1987. We have a daughter; she was born in 1991.

My native language is Turkish and I can speak English fluently.

Membership 

International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations (Former Board member) 

ALS/MND Association Turkey (Board member) 

Turkish Ophthalmology Association 

Turkish Neurology Association