Devan Mahadeo, diagnosed with a rare skin disorder as a child, has left his mark on Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago (SOTT) and the hearts of all who joined him.
The 37-year-old, who had achieved more than most people his age, died on Monday after a period of illness, SOTT said.
Mahadeo was mourned and celebrated on social media as a former athlete and administrator at SOTT. His friends described him as a genuine, kind-hearted man who taught others to be the best version of themselves.
Devan Mahadeo
Mahadeo had been involved in SOTT for two decades, leading his team to victory on many occasions and even carrying the torch in the opening matches.
Mahadeo played football winning gold and silver medals at the WorldGames. He is also an avid cricket, floor hockey and football player.
In 2016, Mahadeo was named an assistant coach for the country’s Special Olympics floor hockey team.
A year later, he traveled to Austria with his team to participate in the Special Olympics World Winter Games.
And he was recognized by the First Citizen Sports Foundation for his achievements.
SOTT stated that Mahadeo served as the Athlete Representative on the SOTT Board before graduating as a representative to the first Caribbean Athlete Leadership Council, where he was responsible for Sports Development.
In a Facebook post on Monday, SOTT wrote, “Some people come to just be a part of life, while others come to make an impression on life. Devan Mahadeo was the one who made his mark in Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago.”
Mahadeo was also a member of the Blue Birds Sports and Culture Organization.
Penal’s Vishwanath Hindu Mandir posted: “There are no words to describe what a quiet, peaceful, gentle and beautiful soul Devan was. He was an avid member of the Blue Birds Sports and Cultural Organization and also proudly traveled the world representing Trinidad & Tobago in the Special Olympics, bringing home many medals.As a community we mourn the loss of a gentleman of outstanding morals and character, someone we were all proud of and someone who truly made the world a better place.”
The post said Mahadeo had made “a huge impact on our lives, teaching us to be the best versions of ourselves and treat people with honor and respect.”
In 2019, Mahadeo appeared on Express as he shared his story of living with Ichthyosis – a skin disorder.
Mahadeo said treatment in Trinidad and Tobago was limited and as a child he spent many years abroad seeking medical help.
He said he looked different and was not accepted in public schools.
But he showed that he was no different from a ‘normal’ child.
Mahadeo, who lived in Penal, said his dream then was to one day represent Trinidad and Tobago.
And he proved doctors wrong by finding innovative ways to do things that people with his condition can’t easily do.
Mahadeo was also featured in several international articles, including the Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types (FIRST). FIRST is a volunteer organization dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by inherited skin diseases.
He told Express, “I was diagnosed with ichthyosis at birth but my doctors could not help my parents with treatment. Seeking medical help, my parents traveled to Caracas due to advances in medical technology, where they were given instructions to take care of my needs. Growing up in Trinidad, I was not accepted into mainstream school until I was nine, when I was recommended to attend a school for children with disabilities.”
Mahadeo said he had never experienced discrimination and no one would “look at me differently”.
But he wanted to be like other children, to go outside and play.
However, his condition did not allow this, and Mahadeo signed up for his school’s indoor volleyball team.
“Later I started playing soccer outside little by little because my school participated in the Special Olympics. I learned that I could keep my skin fresh by wetting the tee and I would be able to play longer on the court. I always remembered the advice my teachers gave me, he said “one day you will be there representing the country”, he said then.
Mahadeo continued, “I figured since I loved going out on the field doing things that people thought I couldn’t do because of my skin condition, why not push harder to make the Special Olympics team. It’s been almost 19 years since I’ve been a part of the Special Olympics.”
Mahadeo said he was grateful to his parents who had supported him throughout the years.
“My family always tries to do the best with what little knowledge they have about ichthyosis. They help and support me in everything I do, never stopping me from anything like most parents do with children who are different,” he said.
Mahadeo said he is also involved in the Blue Birds Sports and Cultural Organization that hosts religious and sports activities in the community.
What is Ichthyosis?
Ichthyosis is a rare genetic skin disorder characterized by dry, thickened, scaly skin.
The disorder almost always begins in childhood or infancy.
Ichthyosis can be genetic (inherited) or it can develop later in life. In the vast majority of people with the disease, the cause is related to one or more genetic mutations. Under normal circumstances, the body constantly renews its skin surface, building new skin cells and allowing old cells to shed from the surface.
