Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Miami Herald, - Sunday, November 19 1989
Herald Staff
Bryant, 48, relies heavily on it to care for her five grandchildren -- including the youngest, a baby who tests HIV-positive for the AIDS virus -- and her disabled brother.
The Pompano Beach grandmother has custody of the youngsters, ages 3 months to 10 years, because their mother is battling drug addiction and can't look after them.
"I'm just hoping and praying one day she'll be able to take care of them, but as of now it's up to me," said Bryant, who recently requested a leave of absence from her job as an Ely High security specialist to tend to her grandchildren. "I wouldn't dare put them in a foster home. I think they should be together."
But the seven family members often are too close for comfort. They share a cramped three-bedroom, one-bath home that lacks enough closets, an adequate play area and air conditioning. The absence of cool air poses a health threat to the baby, who has been hospitalized for congestion and skin problems related to the AIDS virus.
Bryant's rent is $450 a month. She hopes to find a four-bedroom, two-bath home to rent for the same amount of money or less. Her rent money comes from the partial pay she receives while on leave. She also gets $391 a month from the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, but the money doesn't cover extras, like new clothes for the kids.
Bryant needs a stroller (A: $37) and a walker (B: $27) for baby Michelle; tricycles (C: $20 each) for Brian, 16 months, and Sean, 2; and jeans (D: $8 to $15), shirts (E: $6 to $11) and high-top sneakers (F: $30) for the two older boys, ages 5 and 10.
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