"ThunderCats writer Steve Perry needs your help." Topic

I figured this was the least off-topic place I could put it. If it needs to be (re)moved, so be it.

Anyways, Steve Bissette (80s artist of Swamp Thing) is friends with Steve Perry. Since last year, Steve Perry has been diagnosed with bladder cancer, was divorced and was reduced to living out of his van ( with his 5yr old son ), though things have improved slightly.

He was hoping for some help at Megacon this weekend, but apparently no one remembers him. His autograph/drawing/sales jar has remained barren.

A friend has put him up in a rental property, but that property is undergoing foreclosure as well.

srbissette.com/?p=8259

So yes, I know this is off topic. If there is a better place to put it, then move it. But I also know a lot of folks in the wargaming community grew up on Thundercats and Silverhawks. Maybe there is some kind of fundraising or help we can provide.

Are you sure about this information?

There's no mention of a Steve Perry as a writer for the show on Wikipedia (though it is Wikipedia…)

link

Or on IMDB:

link

There is a Steve Perry who is a well known action/adventure and science fiction author, but he seems to be both quite well and well off:
link

So something doesn't mesh here. I'd do a lot more checking before I sent any money in this direction. Scammers are out there.

link

Depends on where you look. There's certainly a Steve Perry credited here:

link

and here:

shadowspace.net/shcredits.html

and here:

link

and the IMDB listings have 6 Steve Perry entries, one of which was definitely on Silverhawks:

link

Although there does seem to be some confusion, since the "well known Steve Perry" Parzival linked to is also credited with some of the same episodes as "Steve Perry VI" on IMDB, so they may or may not be the same person. Even then, being a NY Times best seller doesn't keep you from being a homeless divorcee, especially if the ex had a good lawyer.

So according to Allen's link, Steve is OK now, just helping with fundraising for the charity at Megacon.

I just can't understand a woman leaving a 5 year old kid behind. That's just… crazy.

Well, he sounded positive in the pre-convention interview. Sounds like poor results at the convention, as well as other troubles, got to him.

Yeah. Well, it happens. Got the t-shirt.

In any case, once again, the Internet is proven to be an iffy prospect for accurate information…

Bissette personally knows Steve Perry. Bissette worked on Swamp Thing in the 80s.

If by ok, the original crisis is somewhat resolved, but Steve still cannot work. His housing situation is still up in the air as well.

link

link

I will offer a few bits of info and hopefully this can make it back to Mr. Perry.

link he needs to apply for SS benefits right now

link these guys work to get benefits, each case is different but Mr. Perry's sounds like an easy pro bono

link these guys do the same and are local to him

This is where he needs to start, as these benefits can and will carry over to the child if the worst case comes to be. The legal offices will get him it touch with local councilors.

And I saw on one of the link to sites that someone was stating that SS benefits were not worth pursuing…this is an insane comment. If a plea for $5,10,20 is going to make a difference in this man's life and that of his family then SS benefits will go much further.

He needs to work out the free lunches for the kid, welfare, medicare/cade, and SS benefits…and he is eligible for by income or nearly free housing/utilities.

If there is any help to be had it is downtown with a councilor and hopefully it will be soon.

I am five states away, but surely there is someone closer that may have more local contact info that could help.

I wish him and his, health…and the hope he gets a councilor soon.

Yeah, you are right, I am trying to contact those involved. Part of the problem is he still sounds like he is really under the weather still, and so needs people closer to him help with all the paperwork, etc. I am feeding links back to people.

He needs to make one phone call to the legal office just down the road from him and they will come to him…the rest will come together quickly. The gov (state/fed) will be billed for the legal fees and he will have enough for a level of comfort and security.

:)

God, this whole thing sounds ed up.

So is this Kosher?

either way the guy sounds like a nob.

Its on the up and up. Apparently he has had to deal with a mass of governmental red tape in Florida.

I have stumbled upon this message board and think I should add my two bits. You see, I AM THE STEVE PERRY being talked about here. No, I did not sing for Journey, nor am I the writer of the Matador books, the Star Wars novels, the Indy Jones stuff. I AM the writer of both Thundercats and Silverhawks for Rankin/Bass in the 1980's, and I did write Timespirits for Epic Comics, Psi Force for Marvel's New Universe (only the first two issues), Salimba, Thunder Agents, Bizarre Adventures and some other minor things.
The well know Steve Perry and I get mixed together often, and it never benefits him, that's for sure. It is unfortunate we have the same name -- but I often try to use Stephen Perry.
Steve Bissette has been my like long friend and we have a body of short story work together.
I was diagonsed with cancer over a year ago, was an ER walk-in, operated on. Had no iunsurance or doctor, and now over a year later it is back with a vengeance. But … I have a doctor and medicaid, because I get food stamps for me and my five year old son. I found out two days ago that I have three new large tumors, and I am going into the hospital as early as next week. I am hoping not to croak on the table, and be able to have the follow up care I lacked over the past year.
I had a good job, lost it due to my health, and was homeless with my son. I AM IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPLICATION PROCESS. It has been ongoing since JULY. They MIGHT be making a decision in the next month or two, but that process often takes two years.
THE HERO INITIATIVE helped me out last fall wiuth a grant that enabled me to get a place to live with my son, and get solid enough to apply for state benefits, and begin the Social Security Disability application.
The Hero Initiative did BRING ME TO MEGACON, put me up in a hotel room, let me sit at their table, and I did sign a few things. I brought some old stuff to SELL to make some money. I actually sold a hundred or so dollars of the stuff on Sunday, but one poster is right -- people remember Thundercats but not the creators.
\ The truth is The Hero Initiative was helping ME a lot more than I helped the Hero Initiative. They are a fine bunch of people, and I would do anything for them. They did save my very life by enabling me to have a place to live, to apply for benefits, and to try all of the things several kind hearted posters on this site suggested. I know I got a donation from a Minatures address, and believe it to be associated with this board. I'd have to look and see.
I am a real person, and not some SCAMMER, as some other poster suggested. A paypal account was set up for me by a dear friend to collect donations for me and my son. I answer every donation I have gotten … there have been quite a few kind, generous people and the $5,$10 and even $50 USD donations kept us in the house, kept the electric on, kept the internet on. The outpouring of good will, prayer, well wishers and wonderful people has far outstripped the negative reactions like a few people on this message board. I have received several hundred dollars in donations, and I'll tell you, when one lives on $200 USD cash assistance and $300 USD food stamps, it made all the difference in the world. Much of it has gone to insurance co-payments on a large series of mri's, cat-scans, blood work and doctor visits over the last month or more, and has allowed me to discover the cancer is back, AND ENABLES ME TO GO INTO THE HOSPITAL NEXT WEEK (or the week after) for a MAJOR SURGERY to remove the tumors. Again. These donations are sent to sandramaples48@yahoo.com, and I answer each and every one with my personal email address. Sandy is my friend. They have really allowed us to(my son and me) to have a home.
To that other poster, yes, it sucks to be poor, it sucks to have cancer, it sucks to be a single father trying to do the right thing, and most of all it sucks to have the cancer return. I have a graphic novel coming from Image sometime -- a Timespirits reprint with new material. I have sold the rights to Salimba to About Comics and I think he intends to republish Salimba, again with new material. I have new work coming out in a few other places, including the Hero Initiative's comic, Hero.
I am not famous at all, but I am not unknown, either, in certain areas. I have done different things, but that one poster is right … not much recently.
Like I said, I stumbled upon this message board and read the fifteen comments. People sure are different. SOme doubt, some don't. Some are nice, some are not.
For the past six years I had a great job and made a good living. I was asked to resign because of my health – I just could not do the job. I was homeless with my kid. His mother split, is pregnant with someone else's child. It's all a sad story. A real one, too.
My job was as the manager of an apartment complex, and I helped a lot of people get places to live -- my son's mother's family in particular -- and I like to think that the outpouring of support and good will I have experienced in the last few weeks, since the megacon thing, is partly a result of the Pay It Forward idea. I helped a lot of people, now a lot are helping me. I value the kindness so very greatly, and honestly would be on the street again if not for the help. Some people are VERY NICE.
I do not know if anyone will see this post -- I joined the site to respond to this board (but the miniatures are very cool, too)because I do not want anyone to think my situation was some sort of scam, nor do I wish Steve Bissette, because he wanted to help an old friend, be doubted. Bissette and the Hero Initiative are absolutely wonderful … to me. I will do anything for them. Writing this on this board to make sure anyone who reads it knows EXACTLY what is going on is the least I can do.
Steve Perry

very sad story….as of 5-21-10, Mr. Stephen Perry is missing, foul play suspected, 2 people in custody
link

Are my time stamps off? That article says it was updated on the 21st but Steve Perry's post is on the 24th…

21st may…24th march

Sorry you're living in the US, man. If it was the UK it would all be taken care of much easier. Mucho red tape, but that's the price you pay. France, they would give you a paid holiday to recover as well (or they used to).

Many hopes for your speedy recovery. I had a toy Lion-o and I used to love Thundercats, so I feel kinda bad that I can't help you out (no credit card and no spare loot at the moment).

Well, that sucks.

Hopefully the worse end is not the case and if it is, then the two crack heads are put away forever or given my choice dropped into a deep pit, set on fire, put out with salt water, stoned with lava rock (so it takes a long time), powdered with lime dust, then buried one shovelful every five minutes until covered.

Weird the story doesn't mention his son. Hope things turn out ok, but it doesn't look good.

With the druggie mother out of the picture, if his dad is unable to care for him then I cross my fingers that a decent family fosters/adopts him :)

Mr. Perry,

IIRC your work Timespirits was IMHO superb storytelling indeed. As one who according to a host of physicians from Stanford University Hospital should not even be alive to type this message, I wish you a speedy and full recovery.

Whatever you do, sir, do NOT give up!

Leland R. Erickson
Grayhawk Studios
grayhawkstudios.com

err…BWP, you should probably check out ThorLongus link if you haven't already….

Holy frickin' hell.

Grab,

missed that bit. Arrgh. Even worse it seems…

Leland R. Erickson
Grayhawk Studios
grayhawkstudios.com

This is one of those things where life is weirder than fiction.

I just found this thread but it makes me sick, on many levels.
This story link seems to confirm the worst.

On a different note, and I hate to be the a lone voice calling in the wilderness, but what the hell is wrong with America that in the wealthiest country on the planet, we allow a man and his 5 year old son to become homeless, that we allow a man to wait for nearly a year for any form of government aid, that we allow value a person's life so little that he comes to this end?

wow…she has no credibility. and nothing at all to gain from his demise-bitter custody battle and he dissapears right after putting a restraining order on her.
what a sad story-hoping for justice

How's this link for credibility?

Sounds like the whole family was on drugs if you asked me. Steve Perry's behavior speaks loudly of a drug addict, both before and after being diagnosed with cancer. And, the whole thing with their kid, sounds as well like a dance done by a group of drug addicts.

Optional Field sighed -

"On a different note, and I hate to be the a lone voice calling in the wilderness, but what the hell is wrong with America that in the wealthiest country on the planet, we allow a man and his 5 year old son to become homeless, that we allow a man to wait for nearly a year for any form of government aid, that we allow value a person's life so little that he comes to this end?"

Maybe so, and I sympathise myself . . . However a lot of non-theists and such will proclaim this as proof that Social Darwinism works to weed out those with inferior genes and minds that let themselves fall into such situations. Society, they will say, cannot allow itself to be crippled by the failings of 'compassion' and 'caring' for it is only through enlightened self-interest that the community as a whole grows and prospers. Such case, these people will say, are just the necessary waste products of the movement of society.

The Religious Right will simply say it's the wages of sin.

Hoping his son will overcome this and make something good come form it all.

If it's him, shouldn't take long to get DNS ID off 'arm part'?

@CovertWalrus: Way to try to turn a family's personal tragedy into a political/religious argument. Why don't we just offer these poor people our hope and sympathies, and leave our private agendas out of it, hmm?

Before this gets out of hand…I agree that there may be more to the story than what is known…then again does it matter?

Covert was noting how some people may take this situation and bend it to their agenda, not his. And he also notes that the son is the issue here and that he/we all hope he makes it out of the situation intact.

I think TMPers, myself included, would do well to remember that not everyone here is from an English speaking country and sometimes the message is lost in the translation.

As well as many members are from far reaching countries that have different ways of daily life, politics, and government.

It is a shame that the guy in question got sick.

It is a shame his son got caught in the mix.

It is also a shame that this situation is taken by those who do not live here in the states as to be the normal situation…and it is not.

There was help available to him and his son, period. I do not care what some people may believe, I know for a fact that if he asked for help he would have gotten it…free food, free or very low rent housing ($25-75 month), reduced utilities, free health care, etc. etc..

This is not an invitation for debate, this support system is there, regardless of what the liberal media tells you.

We have no idea what the artist's mental state was, we have no idea of anything other than he was an artist that worked on some cool projects and got sick. He was having a tough time and that sucks. Hopefully his kid comes out the other end of these crap storm and can make something of his life through it all.

However a lot of non-theists and such will proclaim this as proof that Social Darwinism works to weed out those with inferior genes and minds that let themselves fall into such situations.

Seriously? Really? Speaking for non-theists everywhere, that is mind-bogglingly offensive.

Hexxie, I was slightly offended at first as well, then I realized he also included the religious…lol ;)