As we showed you earlier, Delvorine Duhaney's become the poster girl for domestic violence. But who really is Delvorine Duhaney and what is her story? We know that she is a survivor and a model of courage in the face of overwhelming adversity. In May of last year Keith Swift visited with her and found a most extraordinary woman.
[Original Air Date: May 14, 2004]
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 Duhaney 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 Duhaney, 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 Duhaney,
"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 Duhaney,
"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 Duhaney,
"Physically yes but spiritually no."
Keith Swift,
"Explain that."
Delvorine Duhaney,
"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 Duhaney,
"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 Duhaney,
"Yes I can. I can still clean, I can cook, wash, and bake."
Keith Swift,
"Do you go to the store?"
Delvorine Duhaney,
"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 Duhaney,
"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 Duhaney,
"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 Duhaney,
"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."
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
