DIANE PERRY
She comes through for everyone; now, she could use a hand
By MATHILDE PIARD
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Diane Perry is the center that holds her small universe together.
When her grandmother, Lucille, lost her home last month, Diane assured the 93-year old that she would not let her go to a nursing home. Now, the woman lives with her.
And when her daughter was sent to prison two years ago, she told her worried grandsons Terrence and Terrell that foster homes were out of the questions. “If anybody attempts to take you, I’m going to fight to the end. I’m not going to give up.”
And she doesn’t. She can’t. Even though obstacles seem to spring up at every turn.
She lost her job at an orange grove after 23 years — a job she expected to retire from. “I thought, what am I going to do? Quit feeling sorry for myself.”
Within three weeks, she had another job. And when the boys moved in, Diane, 49, took a second one.
Soon after they arrived, Terrell, 11, was diagnosed with asthma, high blood pressure and neurological problems. So every few weeks, Diane borrows a car from a friend and drives the 100 miles from Indiantown to Miami so her grandson can see a specialist. Her own car, a Cadillac she bought for $1,000, is too run down to make the trip.
And when she thought the boys needed a male figure in their lives, she enlisted a friend to become their Big Brother. Now, he takes them for breakfast on Sundays.
Terrell is already doing better in school; his favorite class is math.
Terrence, 13, who sees a counselor for anger issues, plays percussion at his church. And while he’s still quiet over Sunday breakfast, he lights up at the drums, biting his lower lip in concentration and proudly wearing the suit he wanted for so long, the one Diane bought for him with Salvation Army vouchers.
So they are settling into a routine, but now the economy conspires against them. When the boat making plant where she worked cut production in September, Diane once again lost her job. For the first time in her life, she is getting unemployment benefits, but the $441 she receives every month just isn’t enough for a household of four. In November, she was behind on her $511 mortgage payment.
“It got to the point where I wanted to give up,” she said. “But I looked at my grandkids and I knew that I couldn’t give up.”
And her universe may expand. Diane’s niece, who is also in prison, has AIDS. Diane is thinking of taking in her daughters.
What else can she do? “I’ll just sleep on the couch or on the porch,” she says with a laugh. “As long as we’re one happy family.”
DIANE PERRY’S WISH
Diane Perry, 49, cares for her two grandsons, aged 13 and 11, and her grandmother, 93. The youngest boy has neurological issues and high blood pressure. She needs gas cards and repairs done to her car, which is falling apart, so she can drive him to see his specialist in Miami and to take both boys to visit their mother in prison. She also needs help with everyday needs, such as food, clothing and bills, and with her mortgage, because she recently was laid off from her job. The boys hope for iPods.
Nominated by: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Martin County, 5033 S.E. Federal Highway Stuart, FL 34997 (772) 283-8373.
Its mission: To help children reach their potential through professionally supported one to one mentoring relationships.
UPDATE
Terrell, 11, wanted to know where his grandmother was hiding the Christmas presents. But he knew she is a no-nonsense woman, so after a few pleas met with calm refusal, he dropped the issue - he already knew what one of the presents was, anyway. Thanks to donors from Season to Share, Terrell was eagerly expecting an iPod on Christmas morning.
In addition, Diane Perry received an assortment of dry goods and over $7,000 through various donations. Some of that money will pay for car repairs, so Diane will be able to drive Terrell to his medical appointments for his asthma, high blood pressure and neurological problems. The rest will be used for gas cards, groceries, clothing, bills and mortgage payments during the next few months.
Her older grandson, Terrence, 13, has a new therapist to help him work through the anger issues he developed after his mother went to prison.
Diane holds her small universe together with a new job at a juice factory. It’s through a temp agency and has no benefits, but she is thankful just to have a job.
“It’s a pay check,” she said, and it helps her make it until the next set of bills arrive.
The donations she received through Season to Share will help her get ahead a little.
“It just makes me so thankful that people who don’t even know you are willing to help,” said Diane. “It’s a blessing.”
