Blind woman finds a world full of wonders
These days, it’s not unusual to find many overage-55 friends and neighbors who are finding creative ways to overcome the physical challenges of getting older. Yet there are few who have approached their disabilities with tenacity, joy and humor. That is the case with Ms. Debra DeWitt, a bubbly, energetic 64-year-old from Willow Grove who became legally blind at age 17.
DeWitt has been served by Montgomery County Association for the Blind (MCAB) since 1993. During those 27 years, “together Deb and I have invented many innovative ways to help her fully participate in the community she loves,” said Elaine Hendricks, certified Orientation and Mobility specialist at MCAB.
“Her disability would have thrown many people into despair,” said Hendricks. “But Deb has approached it with an energetic spirit and a can-do attitude. Her success rests in her willingness to partner with professionals to find creative ways around obstacles.”
At age 17, DeWitt lost her vision as a result of hydrocephalus due to a concussion that was not treated immediately. In August 1972, two months after the concussion, she completely lost her vision. “The world went totally black for me. I was only 17 and I was devastated,” recalled DeWitt. “The last thing I remember seeing was my mother’s brightly colored stripped dress and a pink piggy bank that the nurses had given me. Then nothing.”
DeWitt was discharged from the hospital and went home to live with her mother and toddler son. “My mom treated me like an invalid. My friends in the neighborhood expected the ‘same-oldDebra’ back. I knew deepdown that I did not fit either of these identities. “My biggest challenge,” she admitted, “was trying to understand who I really was now as a blind person. I had to take risks. It was really hard and scary.”
DeWitt confessed that at times as a teen, she felt hopeless. She had never met anyone who was blind. She felt very alone. That is, until she enrolled in the Upsal Day School in Philadelphia (the school no longer exists). Suddenly, she entered a hopefilled environment where everyone was young, blind and achieving. “I met a 19-year-old guy who was totally blind with a guide dog and he lived on his own in an apartment. I was amazed. I CAN DO THIS,” she thought. That was the beginning of DeWitt’s transformation.
The next 10 years were full of “firsts.” Debra got her GED. She attended Montgomery County Community College and earned her Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education. Then she went on to Chestnut Hill College and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Education.
“I didn’t do it alone,” a grateful DeWitt admitted. Almost from the beginning Hendricks was coaching DeWitt every step of the way, training her in Orientation and Mobility Skills, always with the goal of maximizing her independence.
“Deb was one of my first mobility students in 1993,” said Hendricks. “She called MCAB because she was tired of being trapped in her home, but was afraid to venture outside. She wanted to regain her independence.
“Deb was a single mom with four-year-old twins,” Hendricks continued. “Because she had no child care, I had to find a way for Deb to travel with her children and the long cane. I was fresh out of college and this challenge was not taught in textbooks. Through a process of trial-and-error, we developed a system using bungee bracelets and clips. The two children wore the bracelets and the cord clip was attached to Deb’s pockets. This allowed Deb to know that the children were with her, assuring their safety.”
This was just the beginning of many adventures and challenges that the two would undertake over the next 27 years. Hendricks taught DeWitt to travel (walking with a white cane) around both colleges, her church, the gym, supermarkets and train and bus stations. The pair even ventured together to DeWitt’s favorite jazz club in Germantown!
“If you walk with Elaine, you better wear good shoes,” DeWitt chuckled, “she will keep going until you are exhausted, but confident.”
“Deb is my friend, and an inspiration for individuals who are blind and visually impaired. There is nothing to hold Deb back. If she needs help, MCAB is a phone call away,” added Hendricks. All those hours of instruction and practice really paid off. “My life now is wonderful! “At age 64, I am independent, confident and courageous. I love exercising and learning about healthy eating. I live independently in my apartment in Willow Grove and I enjoy cooking. I did blow up to 305 lbs. after I had my six kids and I quit smoking. I tackled that problem, too.” (DeWitt is now at a normal weight.) What is DeWitt’s advice to women who lose their vision at any age? “Take a deep breath; enjoy who you are; and definitely ask for help. You can do more than you ever imagined possible.”
Montgomery County Association for the Blind (MCAB), Founded in 1945, is the only local organization to provide continuous specialized services to county residents of all ages with visual impairments. MCAB’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for people coping with blindness or vision impairments through education, support and advocacy, and to strive to prevent blindness through education and screening programs. For more information, call Catherine Nold at cnold@mcab.org or 215661-9800, ext. 413.