MASTER YOUR DESTINY

Deon Namiseb is exceptionally able. He is a recipient of the Namibian Disabled Sportsperson of the Year Award and as an International Global Messenger in 2010 he was selected to represent millions of athletes with intellectual disabilities, raising awareness around the globe of the power of sports.

In 2018 he received a recognition award from Special Olympics Africa. Closer to home, Deon has helped his mother to establish and run the Dolam Children’s Home in Katutura. He continues to challenge perceptions while advocating equality for disabled individuals.

MYD: It’s quite a journey that has brought you to being an ambassador for Namibia today. Tell us about your childhood.

I was born in Namibia, in Katutura, in 1978. I was a normal baby boy, but I got sick. At the hospital the doctors gave me oxygen, which made my brain swell, and then my one side became paralysed. I was also blind. The doctors left me for dead. They said they couldn’t do anything for me. They told my parents that I wouldn’t live and that they should prepare for a memorial. But the God we serve is wonderful. My mom’s sister was a cleaner at the hospital. She rescued me and cared for me as if I were her own son, so I was raised by two parents: my mom and my aunt. My dad was not there. He was nowhere to be found.

With time I got my sight back, but my life had changed. When I turned seven years old, my mom said, “Deon, it is time. You should pull up your socks and cope on your own. I won’t be there every day to guide you or to help you with everything.” It was a difficult time.

I have two sisters who were very little girls then. I was only seven years old, but I now had to take care of them, too. I started to clean the house, cook for my sisters, get them and myself ready for school. Today I can tell people: Whatever you can do, I can do.

MYD: How did you get into the Special Olympics?

I went to Dagbreek School. That school really opened my eyes as to where I should go. I am a good soccer player, and in 2007 I was given a chance to participate in the World Games in Beijing, China. It was my first trip out of the country and I was so happy and also a bit scared. We had to playagainst all the African and European countries. We made it to the final but lost against Iraq. I couldn’t believe it, I still can’t, but I was appointed Man of the Match, and that trophy is standing in my mom’s sitting room, always reminding me of 2007.

MYD: Deon, do you believe that if you expect greatness from yourself, you will achieve greatness?

I have received so much – the greatness of being a person, the greatness of being loved by a wonderful mom. I now want to be the person who people with intellectual disabilities bring their problems to, and want to help solve them.

MYD: Deon, what is your message for anybody struggling to find inspiration?

I would say that God made you for a reason. You have something unique in yourself that no one else has, so bring that uniqueness out.

I know there is a shining star in everyone’s heart. Let the wall not stand in front of you. Break down that wall, be the person you want to be and tell the world, “this is my time.”

Deon’s story is part of a series celebrating Namibians in partnership with Master Your Destiny. Read more in the MYD Journal at: www.issuu.com/99fm/docs/99fm_myd_ book_2018