Omphroy: Life is a sport, or so they say.Issa Gaspar 2012-09-08 17:00:00
The fundamentals of the game are simple: You train, battle and play by the rules. The spectators await your every move, so it’s up to you to breach the boundaries and beat the odds or be smacked to the ground broken and bruised. You must hang tough till the final whistle is blown whether you win or lose.
But what if you could defy the rules, exceed expectation, and break boundaries; do you have the courage to do it? Well, let's meet an Azkal who did just that and so much more.
Demitrius Irving Tolentino Omphroy, sounds a little too foreign right? Born to an American-born Panamanian father and an American-born Filipina mother in California, the cynics and pundits would certainly not let their prejudice be unheard about this newest addition to the national squad. They can say what they want, but this guy takes pride in having Filipino blood running through his veins. “My grandparents are from Pampanga so I am really adamant about visiting that area during my stay in the Philippines,” says Demit. Since he has never been to the Philippines before, he asked Hollywood aka Misagh Bahadoran, a fellow Kapampangan, to be his bodyguard/babysitter/tour guide the moment he sets foot in the country. The 5’11” right-back/right-winger from University of California–Berkeley describes himself as a fun-loving, outgoing individual who enjoys the simple pleasures in life like going to the beach, watching movies, and spending time with his girlfriend and big family. He may sound pretty average and ordinary, but believe me, there is more to this guy than meets the eye.
America may not be known as a football/soccer nation, but the Omphroys will always prefer kicking a ball across the pitch to swinging a bat or shooting hoops. Both his dad and grandfather used to play soccer. His father played for U.C. Riverside Collegiate but unfortunately got injured before he turned pro. Her sister, Ashley, also played soccer for San Diego State. Both Demit and his brother, Christian, play basketball, but as Demit puts it, “Soccer runs deep in my blood.”
“It started when I was 3 years old. My dad was kicking the soccer ball against my Grandparents’ wall and he caught my eye. I wanted to play so badly at that age but had to wait another year until I could play Under 5’s in an organized league. I cried and cried when my dad told me I had to wait another year! But once that year came around, you would never see me without the soccer ball. That’s when I caught the ‘soccer bug,’” Demit fondly recalls how he fell in love with the game. At the age of 16, he got his first taste of victory when his team won the Northern Ireland Milk Cup.
Soccer taught this young man to dream and his love affair with the beautiful game continues to grow deeper as the years go by. His international football career started when he played for the United States U-15 and U-18 national team. “It wasn’t until I was around 10 years old when soccer really became competitive. I played up 3 years in age until I was 17 years old and then was scouted to play overseas for one of the top Football academies in the world: Sporting Clube De Portugal, world-renowned Football academy farming some of the greats: Luis Figo, Nani, and Cristiano Ronaldo. It was a big dream for me to play professionally so I left everything in America: Family, friends, education...and left to Portugal.”
Demit gambled everything he had on chasing his dream, but after a good year in Portugal, fate decided to slapped him with a red card. “One year into it, I had my first episode with Multiple Sclerosis; I lost the vision in my right eye and was told I would go blind. I went back to America, never to return to Portugal again. Overnight, my dream of being a professional soccer player was ripped away from me.”
By now, I guess you all want to google what condition is threatening to take everything away from this tough Azkal. According to Adam and Victor’s Principle of Neurology, “Multiple Sclerosis or MS is a chronic neurologic condition characterized by disorders of the optic nerves, spinal cord and brain which remit to an extent and recur over a period of time. The initial manifestation may improve partially or completely, to be followed by the recurrence of the same abnormalities or appearance of new ones in other parts of the nervous system.” Simply put, an individual with multiple sclerosis (MS) has all kinds of symptoms one moment and could be perfectly healthy the next. There is no way to know when the symptoms will be back or whether or not things will get worse. An individual suffering from MS can have spontaneous blurring of vision with associated pain on movement of one eye (optic neuritis), weakness and trembling of hands and legs or even inability to balance.
Through a healthy lifestyle and constant medication, combined with determination, this tough Azkal managed to bounce back as strong as ever giving the experts a run for their money. “I was told that I actually had optic neuritis and wouldn't go blind. Within 8 months, my vision came back and I was offered a scholarship to go to University of California Berkeley, a very good soccer school and an incredible academic university,” narrates Demit. During his collegiate years, his team managed to win twice in the PAC-12 and even made it to the Elite 8 NCAA Playoffs.
“In my personal opinion, it [MS] helps to make me stronger each and every day. I've matured as an individual from it and really value the things that I have in my life,” explains Demit. He then decided to become a motivational speaker for others with MS: “We can, have the life quality that we want to have, because the only thing that defines us is ourselves!”
According to Dr. Katrina Zialcita, a senior resident neurologist from University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, “If MS remains in the ocular system (usually in Asians an oculo-spinal form is most common); relapses may be controlled with periodic pulse doses of methylprednisolone or interferon. Furthermore, there is no proven treatment yet for the progression of disease; most therapies are targeted to improving functional status and preventing/decreasing the frequency of relapses.” But when it comes to physical capabilities, Dr. Zialcita said that there is no reason why someone with MS cannot play football or other sport especially if they are controlled by their medications. Physical exertion and heat, however, may aggravate symptoms (in his case, the blurring of vision) so he still has to be cautious.
Just when it was all too easy to just throw the towel and turn away, Demit proved that Multiple Sclerosis had picked up a fight with the wrong guy. Within 2-3 months of being diagnosed the then 20-year-old booter played for the Panama U-21 in the Central American Games. “It didn't change my mindset though. I'd say that the diagnosis actually made me want to work that much harder to secure a spot with the team,” says Demit. Unfortunately, Panama got disqualified from the tournament. While he was in his fourth and final year in college, Demit got an invitation to 2011 MLS Combine. This had led to his entry to highest professional league in United States and Canada: the Major League Soccer. Not only was Demit the first draft pick for Toronto FC, but also the first player in MLS history with Multiple Sclerosis.
“I had the dream back again, that dream I’d lost 4 years prior, but this time, I wouldn’t let it slip away.”
So true to his words, Demit worked hard and was living his dream once again. He had an amazing season with Toronto FC. He never kept his condition from his team but they believed in him just the same. “In the end, they were happy with me, I reassured them from time to time that I was doing fine, and they commended me for my ability to play soccer professionally while being an advocate to MS patients of all ages in Canada and in America.” He also signed a contract with D.C. United for 2012 MLS Season; however, backed out of the contract for personal reasons.
As per FIFA rules, players are generally not allowed to switch nationalities if they have made senior appearances for one FIFA-recognized country in competitive fixtures at the senior level. After playing for the Panama U-20 national team, the right winger had to make a decision. “I am glad I made the choice of the Philippines. I was raised by Filipino grandparents and more on the side of my mother, which are all Filipinos, so being around the language is something I grew up with since I was a baby. It felt natural to be around the Azkals, I felt like I was back home.” After he made his debut in the Azkals game in Chicago against the Chicago Inferno he hopes to help the team more in the future. With big names turning up on home turf to play for the United Football League (UFL), there were also rumors that Demit was invited to join the country’s premier league. “A future in the Philippines is definitely a desire of mine so I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.”
In the mean time, this jack of all trades is currently using his other talents off the pitch. “Acting also came very naturally to me. It’s something I like to take on, trying out different roles, but most importantly, I just love being in front of the camera. There is a sense of comfort that I have and I love to make others laugh by just being myself,” shares Demit. So when you heard Mr. Bob Guerrero mention that Demit was in the Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend” video, he was not kidding. He has also modeled for Freestyle Watches. When he is not too busy modeling or hanging out with pop superstars, this talented lad continues to be the enthusiastic speaker for MS awareness all over America and Canada.
He is currently enjoying the best of both worlds, but if he had to make a choice between sport and showbiz: “I will always be a footballer in every way shape and form. But I also represent a lot of other things. MS, music, acting, and modeling all play into the role of other things that I’d like to be known for also.”
Fueled by his advocacy, his passion for the game, and love for his family, this Azkal has never let adversity define who he is. “At the end of the day, I want to be remembered as someone who changed his destiny. When I was told I would go blind at age 17, I didn’t let that stop me from achieving my dream of being a professional soccer player. I want to help and inspire others that we are the ones that control our destiny. I don’t want to just live for myself. I’d like to help others to find strength and hope in their lives, in the end chasing and achieving their dreams. Whether that may be through football, showbiz, or both.”
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