CHPI BLOG 

Here is an excerpt from one of our cohort students at GDC -- an early Father's Day present!

A Grandfather’s Love & Grandson’s Love for 1 Another

By Henry Lyle (Shaun)

I am new to writing. Not because of alot of reason’s: But I’m ready to learn again after having my trials at youth without school.

         I am writing a bout my grandfather and me because he was my male father figure-influence in my life. He taught me to become a man. And loved me unconditionally. As I did him. My grandfather’s name was Brice Henry Hulsey J.R. That’s where I got my name from. Was from his middle name But I call him (Papa). He was born on October 22, 1927. He had been a cook on a ship in the Army; over in Germany. He was there for some years from what I understand. He married my Grandmother Blanche Geneva Hulsey when he got home- to South Carolina. Her name was Blanche Geneva Hulsey once they were married. She was born on September 4th, 1932 i believe if that’s correct. She had two kids already when they got together my deceased uncle Steve and my Aunt Martha. Then they had 3 kids together as well. My Uncle Calvin, my aunt Carol. And my mother Marline. My mom, and went on to raise their family together. He worked in a mill called or owned by John b. Hollingsworth off of Laurens RD into Mauldin. A piece of metal flew into his eye and messed his eyes up. He continued to work to support the family.

Now let’s begin again

10 years ago my Grandfather died. Now let’s rewind back to my childhood. I was born April 10th 1984. When I was a kid all the way to adulthood; my grandparents took care of me except for a few months here & there with my mom back in the late 90’s. My grandfather told me to go to school. He always made sure I got there when I was younger. But when I move those few months with my mom I went to Berendo Middle School in L.A. California. My 2 brothers, 1 friend and myself were the only 4 white kids in the whole school. But we were popular. Moved back to greenville, sc with my grandparents went to Hughes Academy Middle school and southside Highschool for a month or so. Before I moved again with my mom and stepdad and brothers to Iowa for a few months and I never went back to school. So when I moved back to S.C. with my grandfather after my grandmother died. I decided i wasn’t going back to school.

A few short years later my grandfather went blind in 1 eye, after years of doctor visits and surgerres that had been caused from his accident at work and being shot in head when someone tried to rob him in 2001 on Valentines Day knowing I was not home. Only a few more years went by and he had gone completely blind. So that then made it time for me to grow up very quickly; and had to be a caregiver to him as he had been to me my whole life. Yes it was hard but things needed to be done. I had to make sure I found ways to get him to Drs. Appointments. Had to ensure all the bills got paid. Kept the house clean. Made sure I cooked his meals to eat. He especially liked breakfast I made him scrambled eggs, fried ham or bologna or sausage and biscuits. And a cup of coffee. I knew how to do that from watching and learning from him all those years. Helped him bathe. Helped him back and forth when needed to go to restroom, outside, couch, bed, etc. So it was a long hard journey especially through the last months of his life; In hospital after he fell and broke his hip in restroom. Went from hospital to a rehabilitation/aka. Nursing home. I stayed with him night and day. Then on the evening of May 20, 2013 around 8:30om only a couple hours after I had left; I received a call and was told my grandfather had passed away.

So me at the age of 29 the man who raised me at 85 years old my grandfather was like no he was my father basically. Was gone but will always be in my memories and live in my heart. It was very important for me to write this because he was my caregiver; from kid to adult. Favorite memories was when he took me fishing at lake. He had baited my line for me and I learned from what I saw him do. After I caught my 1st fish I was hooked. Lol. In conclusion he was definitely the most influential man (my papa) in my life. He meant the world to me as I did him.

Brice Hulsey:

A son

Army man

Husband

Father

Grandfather

A lot more titles could and probably were given. I love you papa forever in my heart and soul. 

Love your grandson (Shaun) Henry Lyle. 

February 1st, 2023: Q+A with our friends at Phillips State Prison

What are your living accommodations like in prison?

Shane: Find a roommate, take one quarter of your garage, put your bed in the corner, put their bed on top, wrap a bunch of used cotton balls in plastic and use it as a mat, put your toilet at the foot of your bed, take everything you own and put it in a 6 square foot box on the wall, move your shower to the other side of the house, share that shower with 50-120 people, put a little desk on the wall with no chair, and voila!

Don’t get me wrong, some places are worse than others. At least there’s cable and school here. Some programs have computers with no internet access. And people can order commissary if their families can afford it.

    Tomas: We live in a dorm with twenty five cells, two man per cell. Each cell is about 8 by 12      feet. We have a common area with three tvs. We have a small room with about ten computers.