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Paraplegics Raise Awareness Through Drama
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 Members of Omurilik Felçliler Derneği (Paraplegic Society) visited Bilkent recently to stage the Ankara premiere of the play "Ayakizi" at the C Block Auditorium. The actors, all of whom have spinal paralysis, performed the play in wheelchairs. The play highlighted the difficulties that paraplegics face in doing the everyday things that others take for granted, such as going out, eating a meal, or even answering the door. Since spinal paralysis is often the result of traffic accidents, much emphasis was placed on the potential consequences of careless driving and of moving an injured person improperly after an accident. As one of the performers said, "It is the desire of millions of people to own a vehicle with four wheels. One of those four-wheeled vehicles made me dependent on these two wheels."
 After the play, the society members presented Prof. Ali Doğramacı with a plaque in appreciation for recognizing the difficulties they face. Ali Doğramacİ commented that President Roosevelt's confinement to a wheelchair did not prevent him from being a great leader and thinker. Likewise, paraplegics have much to contribute to society through the exercise of their intellect.
Two Bilkent students, Taylan Yapıcı and Nur Kosova, took an active role in bringing the play to Bilkent, from actually writing the play to organizing the premiere on campus. What was one of the messages they wished audience members to take away from the play? "Drive safely!"
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