Text Box: Book Review By Costas Apostolides, former chairperson of Cyprus Dyslexia Association Text Box: I have known, worked and cooperated with Ersin over the last 10 years, and together we have been able to avoid the political minefields in Cyprus and improve things on the island for dyslexics and other persons with special needs in Cyprus. Our experience has shown that with a little flexibility relations between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot Communities can be improved and developed, while there are no obstacles to warm personal relations whatever difficulties are imposed by the political divide. As Ersin states “where there is a will there is a way”, and I believe that the experience with the two dyslexia associations in Cyprus gives us all the hope that if this approach is taken it should be possible to resolve the problems that have bedeviled this beautiful island over the past 60 years. “My life/file” is a wonderful book, in which the life of Ersin is put before us literally as an “open book”, in which happiness, love, sadness, difficulties and tragedy are presented with a disarming frankness interspersed with humour. It is an “easy read” that among other things brings out into the open the restrictions on Cypriot woman and young girls living under the “fossilized” social codes of the Cyprus emigrants that are followed by both Greek and Turkish communities in Britain. The title itself brings out the problems caused by the dyslexia disability, with “LIFE” and “FILE” demonstrating the spelling problems of dyslexics, since the latter was in Ersin’s school days sometimes written to denote the former. Throughout the book the problems of dyslexics are clearly presented, both the difficulties faced by the children and their parents and families. While at the some time the shortcomings of the teachers, schools and educational systems are colourfully described. In the final section of her book Ersin presents us all with a formula of how to approach illness and tragedy, summarized in the final comment of “how important it is to live every day of your life as if it the last. Treasure every moment you have with your children and loved ones, because you never know what’s waiting around the corner”. Having been diagnosed with cancer, Ersin focuses on the optimistic and happy aspects of life that we should all appreciate, and implies that we should not allow misunderstandings or disappointment to affect our judgement. The most remarkable feature of this autobiography is, however, the ability of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to work together, and develop friendships irrespective of the political obstacles faced. This gives us hope that we may be able to resolve our political differences, and thereby improve life on this island. In this respect Ersin, her family and her friends have set an example for all of us.

Date: 31/03/08