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Dejan Radu is a quiet 20 year old from Serbia who spent much of his life in an institution
and the bulk of his childhood kicking a football around. Home is Pancevo north east of Belgrade,
once part of Yugoslavia it’s now part of independent Serbia – population 7 million,
football world ranking 15th, football popularity number 1. Dejan plays midfield.
In my position I assess others and sometimes I score also.
I started training 10 years ago. I run a lot, I kick good.
The best thing about him is he’s fast, he runs a lot, he tries hard and works hard and
the best thing about him is he’s unpredictable in life and on the field also.
He’s excited, he’s unbelievably excited even though he doesn’t show it that much.
Having lived 11 years in institutions Dejan is relieved to finally have stability –
his own apartment in the city.
I was born in a village and lived with my grand mother and grand father until I was
seven and since then I lived in an orphanage until I was 18 and since then I’ve lived
here.
It is unusual I wasn’t with my parents and there are many children living there.
I’m on my own and I’m my own man and I get to do everything I want.
Around 2000 Serbian children live in residential institutions, like Dejan more than half are
children with disabilities. Dejan had limited schooling but he’s benefited from a new
state programme that assists people with intellectual disabilities to gain independence and jobs.
Dejan spends his days working for a company that processes herbs for natural medicines.
He’s a very hard working guy and he really does his best to learn new stuff because he
didn’t do this in school, he wasn’t taught, it was an obstacle for him.
After work you’ll find him playing football. So popular is football it’s almost part
of the culture. When Dejan was living in the institution there were 100 other kids ready
and willing to kick a ball with him.
He’s a team player, he always gives 100% for the team and he has great stamina.
Selection for the Unity Cup has made Dejan a local hero. The opportunity to travel with
Special Olympics to South Africa is more than any dream he ever had. His coaches feel he
deserves it more than anyone else.