GETTING BACK UP
WORDS Joshua Brosnahan PHOTOS Edith Leigh
Not all paths in life are easy, and unfortunately, not all journeys end in happiness. But for Mustafa Boztas, he’s chosen to rise above horrific circumstances, and use them to embrace an unprecedented turn of events that he, nor anybody here in Christchurch, saw coming.
Mustafa moved with his family from Turkey to New Zealand. His father, a chef, moved the family under the classification of ‘skilled migrant’ at the start of January 2009. Mustafa was 11 when he found a home in a different world, down under.
After finishing his high school education, Mustafa went on to study Engineering in Dunedin. The decision to study at a higher level meant a relocation here to Christchurch, which ultimately led him through one of the most challenging and horrendous ordeals of our recent history – last year’s terror attacks. Mustafa was shot in the leg, with shrapnel travelling to his liver.
“Everything had been so difficult, up until this past August. Previously my physio sessions were three times a week, but this has now reduced to a monthly visit. I feel as though I am making progress. I like to keep fit, and train, so discovering Bikram Yoga has meant I have been able to return to my love of training much sooner than anticipated.”
Despite his positive attitude and his recovery, the impact on the attacks deeply affected his family.
“A few days prior to the attacks, my mother injured her shoulder, and she’s dealt with that pain ever since. My mother and I went through pain together. I feel like it was meant to be. We were going through a similar situation. My father was also receiving treatment for a blood disorder at the time, and the impact of the attacks meant his health took a sharp turn for the worse, and he required a bone marrow transplant.”
Mustafa has vivid memories of the people who assisted him on that day.
“One of the officers in the Armed Offender Squad, who I know as Mark, stayed right beside me on that day. He kept reassuring me and telling me that everything was going to be okay. He carried me to the ambulance.”
After toying with the idea of joining the police force after high school, he’s now altered his path to do exactly that.
“Now, I don’t want to be an engineer anymore. I want to be a police officer. I want to be someone who helps other victims in hard times. I owe that to the police officer who was sitting beside me and covering my wounds. I felt safe with him.
“Many people look up to me now, because I survived. Positive thoughts lead to positive attitudes. I am a very active person, always out and about with my sports, and I find being busy makes me feel more positive towards life. Overthinking is unhealthy. Focusing on myself, focusing on the good in my life, leads to positivity.
“I consider New Zealand home, and if God is willing, I will be living in New Zealand for a long time. You may not be responsible for getting knocked down, but you’re the one responsible for getting back up. “