By Ric Vincent M. Dumaog
(Introduction by Fr Oliver McCrossan)

By any standards, Ric Dumaog is an extraordinary young man. He was stricken with polio when only nine months old leaving him paralyzed in both legs. Despite his disability, he graduated with a degree in accountancy. Married with three young children, Ric is a founding member and president of STAND, an organization actively campaigning for persons with disabilities in Ozamiz City. Being very determined, he took up law studies and is now in his final year. He writes below about his life.

I was trying to look back at my past . . . I come from a very poor family. My father was a carpenter-painter-tricycle driver rolled into one. He tried to work in all kinds of jobs, even went fishing, just to help us survive. No one could ever have imagined how I would graduate from college and how we would survive. If not for my determination to finish college, I know I would be a beggar.

I am a polio victim. My feet are underdeveloped because of polio. But this didn’t stop me from going to school, to dream of a better life. God is certainly good. He sent instruments to show His love for me. I was accepted in a scholarship program until I finished college. I never let my disability hinder my aspirations of doing great in school, making friends with schoolmates and living a normal life. I graduated as a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from a prestigious school in my place.

Reality set in when I was already applying for work. Nobody wanted to employ me because they considered me a liability, instead of an asset, to their company. It hurts me so badly, but the positive outlook in me keeps on burning inside. Although there were times when I was affected by rejection, I still hoped that someday I could land a good job. It took me three years after my graduation before I got my first work, in a private company. It was a great feeling to know that there are still people who trusted my capacity.

It was during this time, 1998, that I met my wife, Cherry Mae. I got married when I was 24 years old. We are blessed with three beautiful children, one boy and two girls. In 2003 I was employed in Ozamiz City Hall as a casual clerk. After four years as a casual, I was so disappointed that I had not yet got a regular position. So I decided to look for a sponsor to send me to law school. I really believe that even if I didn’t get a regular position, as long as I could finish law school, there would be many opportunities in store for me. God, in his Divine Providence, sent Fr Oliver McCrossan to be an instrument in realizing my passion for law school and to become a lawyer. Father Ollie shouldered my tuition fees.

Presently, I am now in my fourth year in law school. It’s a mixture of hardships and challenges. However, no amount of hardships can stop me from pursuing my ultimate dream of becoming a lawyer. Even if I have to climb everyday to our classroom located on the third floor of the school building, I don’t mind. Even if I have to defy storm and rain just to attend my daily classes, I have gladly been doing it.

I still continue to work and at the same time study. I have very limited time to study because from work I go directly to school up to 8:00 o’clock in the evening. But still, up to the wee hours at night, I am reading my books because I love what I’m doing. It’s just that I have limited time for my family. But they are so supportive of what I’m into. They know that by the time I finish my studies and become a lawyer, our life will be totally changed.

Reviewing for the Bar Exam will mean expenses and it will be a very risky investment considering that it is one of the hardest exams in the Philippines. Risky, because there’s a chance that I will flunk it. But being the positive person that I am, I know I can make it. I know that I will become a lawyer.

Despite my disability, I can say that I am giving my family a better life compared to what I experienced when I was young. But I know I can give more to them, especially in securing a better future for my children, if I succeed. A better life for my family and an opportunity to help others will be my inspirations to hurdle all that challenges that life is giving me.

You may email Father McCrossan at ollie.mccrossan@yahoo.com.ph