Hakan Tekkol
Founder & Chairman
Hakan Tekkol founded Break Silence e.V. out of his own experience. As a wheelchair user, he advocates for visibility, self-determination and real opportunities for people with disabilities.
About Break Silence
My name is Hakan Tekkol.
I've been in a wheelchair since I was one year old. But instead of stepping back, I decided to become visible — for people who are too often overlooked. That's exactly why Break Silence exists.
The people behind Break Silence
Our team
Break Silence e.V. is built by people who bring their experiences, perspectives and skills together to create real change.
Gülsen Inan
Member | Ambassador & Network Development
Gülsen supports Break Silence e.V. in building a strong network. She reaches out to well-known personalities, potential supporters and cooperation partners, draws attention to our work and helps to gain reach, donations and strong partnerships for our projects.
I know exclusion. I know ignorance.
And I know the barriers that are invisible to many. But instead of getting quieter, my voice grew louder.
I know what it's like to have no voice. I've seen people overlooked — children in need, people with disabilities, families at the edge of society. Not because they're unimportant. But because they're too quiet.
I couldn't keep watching. So I started.
What makes Break Silence different?
Many organisations do important work. Break Silence deliberately focuses on the individual person.
Direct help
No bureaucracy — support where it actually arrives.
Personal commitment
No detours. I go where others don't go.
Person before statistic
The individual person is always at the centre.
My message
Break Silence stands for courage, not pity.
For action, not words.
Not for me. For everyone who is overlooked.
Together we break the silence.
"Even someone in a wheelchair can move the world. Maybe not change everything — but start."
— Hakan Tekkol
Across borders too
Why we look beyond borders.
Barriers know no national borders. In many parts of the world, people with disabilities lack access to suitable aids, education and social participation. Children and young people are particularly affected.
That is why Break Silence e.V. wants to build international aid projects step by step – together with reliable local partners, transparently documented and at eye level. In the long term, this also includes passing on suitable wheelchairs and supporting educational and participation projects.
Not as saviours. But as partners who listen, take responsibility and act together.
A suitable wheelchair, access to education and real participation can change an entire future.
"I am not my wheelchair. I am what comes after."
Inclusion means: no one is left at the edge.
Working with clubs and youth teams — visibility starts early.
Your voice matters.
Whether you support, share or simply speak about it — you're part of it.