Dr. Dejano joins Olympics medical team
THE young Rhoel Dejano used to spend his days training for competitive lawn tennis as a school representative in the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association and dreamed of being a member of the Philippine team in the Olympics
Now 50, he will finally realize his dreams as he leaves for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after he was chosen to be part of the 2016 Summer Olympics' medical committee.
“We wanted to play sports in order for us to become somebody in sports, but I've passed that thing. This is why I decided to become a sports doctor. I did not excel in sports so I'd rather go to the Olympics as a doctor, that's why I decided to volunteer,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.
Apart from being the only Filipino volunteer sports doctor in the event, Dejano also made history 30 years ago for being the first and only one in the Philippines to finish a diploma course in sports medicine under the International Olympic Committee.
It was during this time that his interest in volunteering for the biggest sports event in the world sparked, opening an opportunity for him to make his lifelong dream a reality.
“Since then, I've always wanted to volunteer, but I believe that this is the time; it's destined because I'm ready and the lessons I've learned over the years from friends and colleagues have taught me well,” he said.
The road to the Olympics, however, was no walk in the park as he had to undergo meticulous processes to assess if he was qualified enough to volunteer.
He was one of the many who signed up in the Olmypics' web- site two years ago when the it first accepted applicants.
After he passed the first part, he was interviewed through Skype by the head of the medical committee herself, but it did not end there as he had to answer a series of simulation exams on the website.
Although he admits the waiting period was quite nerve wracking, he said he did not lose hope and kept on praying.
“This had always been my goal and I'm not giving up. I worked hard, but I also prayed because the two work together,” he said.
Last December, Dejano received what may be his best Christmas present yet--a letter of acceptance from the medical committee.
Without hesitation, he not only confirmed his acceptance, but also asked if he could serve for the entire two-week duration instead of the 10-day work schedule.
“I'll be there, so might as well (go the entire two weeks). I wanted to tend not only to the athletes who might need medical assistance, but to the spectators as well. When you go, you go hard with passion and this is a moment I don't want to miss,” he said.
With this dedication, the head granted his request and even made him the medical team leader for the last two days of the Olympics.
His accommodation, transportation and food have been paid for as well by the committee as a fruit of his undying passion for volunteerism and sports.
All this, Dejano remains humble and made sure that the patients he will not be able to attend to for two weeks are taken cared of before he leaves.
“I'll miss my patients, of course, but I believe that the new lessons I'll learn in Rio will be useful for them,” he said.
He also urged everyone to strive and set a goal for themselves, saying that there's no age limit to making one's dreams come true as there is always an equal opportunity for everybody.