"Silently Weeping"
A story of burn survival, rape and abuse
by Deborah Blaney Ward

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“YOUR PAST CAN CONTROL YOUR FUTURE IF YOU LET IT. OR YOU CAN MOVE AWAY FROM IT.” On May 23, 1961, seven-year-old Deborah Blaney Ward stood on a chair in front of her stove to retrieve some sugar from the shelf – she didn’t know the stove was on, and red hot. When her dress touched the ring, she was instantly engulfed in flames. The severe burns covered over 70 percent of her body. But, this would only be the beginning of trauma that would threaten to consume her just as the fire had. Because of the accident, Deborah was labeled “different” and suffered for it in many ways. She struggled through abuse, but maintained she was “alright” only to find out years later that she was not. She tried to prove that she was just like everyone else, not realizing that she was destroying everything in her path. Silently Weeping is the personal story of a young girl’s tragic journey to adulthood – from scars to survival.

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Nova Scotia born Deborah Blaney Ward devotes most of her time to burn support through local organizations. She is President of the Nova Scotia Burn Support Group, Secretary Treasurer for the Canadian Burn Survivor Community, President of the Avon Boat Club and a hospital volunteer. She is a peer support worker with burn survivors and regularly supports others on the Burn Victim Survivor Facebook page. Deborah is an accomplished speaker and is available for presentations at schools, clubs, service organizations and more.

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Contributors

Author

Deborah Blaney Ward

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