The Republican
Springfield, MA

April 27, 2006, Section: News,
Edition: Springfield, Page: B2a

Author survived history of abuse

BEA O'QUINN DEWBERRY STAFF The Republican (Springfield, MA) 
bdewberry@repub.com The writer shared her story at the "Through Her Eyes," conference at the Springfield Marriott.

SPRINGFIELD - In her youth, Regina Louise Kerr-Taylor lived in more than 30 foster homes, detention facilities and shelters.
She suffered serious abuse at the hands of adults, but she didn't allow that to break her spirit, her resiliency or her determination to succeed.
Taylor-Kerr, who goes by her pen name Regina Louise, shared her true story as written in her memoir "Somebody's Someone," yesterday at the "Through Her Eyes," conference at the Springfield Marriott.
The conference was presented by the Center for Human Development and organized by the Terri Thomas Girls Assessment Program.
The second annual conference provided foster care parents, youth service workers, teachers, social workers and others with a look at the juvenile justice system through the eyes of girls.
"Girls entering the juvenile justice system is an emerging trend, and we want to figure out ways to stop that trend by providing (discussion) around the topic," said John D. Roberson, director of the juvenile justice program at the Center for Human Development and the conference coordinator, noting the Assessment Center provided service for 250 girls in 2005.
Roberson said the conference included a panel discussion with local teens and a series of workshops, including one with local law enforcement officials discussing justice system efforts to work with juvenile girls.
Regina brought many in the audience to tears when telling her story about her childhood filled with abuse. She reminded the audience that what young people need most is caring adults.
"You hold what is possible for these children. You help them out and hold them up. That's what you signed up to do, that's what you are called to do," Regina said. "Love is never wasted."
Regina said that every child every where needs positive relationships to latch onto and foster children need that love even more.
For her, that special love came by way of Jeanne Taylor-Kerr, a counselor at one of the shelters to which she was sent after each failed foster home placement. At one point, Jeanne Taylor-Kerr sought to adopt Regina but was told she couldn't because she was white and Regina is black.
Letters Jeanne had sent to Regina were shoved in a file, never to be delivered until Regina retrieved them as an adult. Jeanne said she assumed the letters went unanswered because the dramatic, charismatic, spunky young girl had moved on with her life.
But that was until Regina's book was published in the summer of 2003, when Jeanne contacted Regina by e-mail.
"I remember reading 'I'm so proud of you sweetheart," Regina said, explaining that Jeanne was the only person to call her such pet names. When the two spoke by phone, Jeanne asked her "Is this my baby girl?"
The two met, and their mother-daughter love was rekindled. On Nov. 20, 2003, in a special court proceeding in California where the two live, Regina was adopted by Jeanne more than 27 years to the day after their first meeting.
Heidi Walter, a clinical coordinator at the Terri Thomas Center, said Regina's story is typical of many young girls she has worked with.
"I hope that people get a perspective as to who the girls we're working with are, and not just see them as troubled girls or bad girls but girls in need of many things. Many are victims of their circumstance," Walter said.
(COLOR) DIFFICULT STORY
Author Regina Louise Kerr-Taylor brought many in the audience to tears with her stories of abuse yesterday at the "Through Her Eyes," conference at the Springfield Marriott.

Copyright, 2006, The Republican Company, Springfield, MA. All Rights Reserved. Used by NewsBank with Permission