Legacy Donor Spotlight: Dr. Debora Elliott Ward

By Debora Elliott Ward, PhD

I have been dealing with visual impairments throughout my life. While growing up in a rural area in northern New York on the Quebec Provence border, my parents noticed that I had night blindness before I started school. A country family doctor correctly diagnosed me with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which was soon confirmed by an ophthalmologist. But my parents did not tell me of the diagnosis, later saying that they did not want it to deter me from achieving everything I could. I accidentally found out about my RP while in graduate school. I went for an evaluation at a medical center and learned about the Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation (later renamed the Foundation Fighting Blindness). I began receiving their newsletters, which I have now received for many years, and I especially enjoyed the first-person accounts from people coping with visual impairments.

I completed my doctoral degree and moved to Maine, where I had a long, successful career as a clinical psychologist. I developed an area of expertise in psychiatric diagnostic clarification in adults, and I believe that I helped many people get better treatment through more accurate diagnoses.

My visual impairments have impacted many aspects of my life. Many simple daily activities are challenging. I was only able to drive for about ten years. In both personal and professional arenas, there have been individuals who resented my inability to perform some tasks or require accommodation. Through these experiences, I learned I was a stronger person than I had realized. I am retired now and live in Tennessee near my son and his family, including my six-year-old granddaughter. Among my hobbies are flower gardening and doing artwork with colored pencils, pastels, and watercolors.

I was spurred to work on estate planning after a diagnosis of a terminal illness. I knew this was the right time to take steps to designate beneficiaries. When it came time to make a decision about my estate plans, I thought first about my family. Ultimately, I realized there was room in my estate for both my loved ones and the causes that matter a lot to me. Supporting the Foundation as my charity of choice allows me to honor my values while considering the future of my family. Having donated for years, I felt confident naming the Foundation as a beneficiary. I trust their ability to manage my contributions wisely, ensuring the funds will be used to support those with visual impairments, whether through research or more direct avenues.