Our next story has all the signposts of what could have been a tragedy. It started with a lovers' relationship soured by abuse and ended violently with permanent injury to Delvorine Duheaney eye.
She is legally blind today, but still, her story is far from tragic, in fact it's closer to triumph as she has found light at the end of what was a dark tunnel of abuse and maim. She shared her inspiring story with Keith Swift.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Seeing this woman around the house you would think she is a regular housewife and sure enough she moves deftly around the kitchen carrying out her daily routine like lighting up a kettle on her stove, getting a cup of water, flipping channels with her remote, and even dialing on a phone. But from all this you would never know that Delvorine Duheaney is visually impaired. She wasn't born blind, and she isn't the victim of some degenerative eye disease; rather she is the victim of domestic abuse. Abuse so bad, it left her visually impaired.
Delvorine Duheaney, Visually Impaired by Abuse
"Well I was involved in an abusive relationship and when I tried to get out that is when I lost my sight. Acid was thrown in my eyes, I was attacked from behind by the person I used to live with and that is how I lost my sight."
After two surgeries, which failed to restore her vision, doctors told Delvorine she would never see again and that sent this former primary school teacher to the brink of committing suicide.
Delvorine Duheaney,
"When it happened to me I always thought I would be a burden to my family and I couldn't take care of my child, I couldn't comb her hair and I was always in pain. I thought about giving up many times. I even thought about committing suicide but I after a while I became very determined."
So a determined Delvorine, with assistance from the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI), stuck it out. She refused to give in and refused to be a victim. And if she ever did want to give up, the one thing or person that kept Delvorine going was her daughter Shanien.
Delvorine Duheaney,
"When I think about my daughter there is no way I can give up because she is a very intelligent child and she keeps me going. We are very close and I love her very much and she is one of my main reasons for living."
8 years later Delvorine has blurred vision through her right eye and is still legally blind but this 33 year old is a fully functioning mother.
Keith Swift,
"Do you consider yourself blind?"
Delvorine Duheaney,
"Physically yes but spiritually no."
Keith Swift,
"Explain that."
Delvorine Duheaney,
"Well spiritually because I have a vision for my life now. I have a vision for my life where I feel that as long as I am determined, I can do anything."
Keith Swift,
"So for example can you see me now?"
Delvorine Duheaney,
"I can't see you clearly but I know if someone is sitting next to me, I know that someone is there."
Keith Swift,
"You say do chores around the house like comb your daughter's hair?"
Delvorine Duheaney,
"Yes I can. I can still clean, I can cook, wash, and bake."
Keith Swift,
"Do you go to the store?"
Delvorine Duheaney,
"If it is not too far and if it doesn't involve crossing the street."
Delvorine will also honestly tell you that are some things she can't do which she misses. These are simple and obvious things that most take for granted like for example reading.
Delvorine Duheaney,
"I am unable to read like I used to. I can read large print but if something I am interested in is not in large print, that's when I start to get depressed but thank God I have my daughter so life has slowed me down a bit but it hasn't stopped me."
It hasn't stopped her and she isn't telling you her story to complain. Rather Delvorine says her experience, her pain, and her loss can be a lesson to all of us.
Delvorine Duheaney,
"When you love someone let them know. Let them know and whenever someone does something wrong to you, you forgive them; and if you are in a relationship, any relationship at all, that causes confusion it is best to just walk away."
And Delvorine makes it clear that she speaks now as a survivor not a victim, a woman who has conquered her past, and is ready to take on a new future.
Delvorine Duheaney,
"For my self I have a lot of hope for the future because presently I am thinking about getting a house and hoping for a job and I have a lot of plans and hopefully by the grace of God I believe he will open a lot of doors for me."
Through it all, there's one thing that Delvorine Duheaney has not done: she has not cried a single tear. But it's not because she didn't want to, it's because she can't: her injuries destroyed her tear ducts leaving her in the physically painful condition of being unable to expel tears. Duheaney has undergone two surgeries including a cornea transplant in Chicago neither gave her any long-term benefits. Since returning to Belize she has received services from the Belize Center for the Visually Impaired.
And if you are wondering, the man who attacked her is Roy Zelaya and he was convicted of grievous harm in 1998 and sentenced to three years in prison. Because of numerous complications with the case he could not be tried for the more serious offence of dangerous harm.