We decided to put ourselves out there not knowing what wed find in an effort to chip away at any senseless stigma around this experience and to encourage people who might be going through it to open themselves up to love & support from friends and family when they need it most, the actor added. Edwards will still have visitation rights to his son. Kimberly Van de Perre is all smiles with her four-year-old son Elijah, September 28, 2001, following news the Supreme Court of Canada giving her custody of her son after a bitter fight with ex-NBA star Theodore (Blue) Edwards. I make that finding based upon my assessment of him and because of his propensity to seek out places where there are known to be young women who are 'star-struck' with professional athletes. The battle for custody started when Elijah was three months old. Yet thanks to the courts, his skin colour and his race may determine where he lives and who he grows up with. "He really got into the role," said executive producer John Ritchie. In a video posted on her Instagram Story on Monday night, Kimberly thanked her followers for their support following the news, and shared more details about what she had gone through. In real life, the story of Van De Perre and Edwards was messier than a back-country bar fight. Pfft. "It's been a real rollercoaster," said Van de Perre, after the decision was announced. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. While on set, I asked questions about Kimberly Van De Perre and her son, Elijah. court has said the boy should be raised in his father's black family. We don't run. For example, it is my impression that she minimizes the extent to which she goes out to nightclubs. Playing For Keeps airs on CTV April 5 at 8 pm. Ms. Van de Perre, 27, told reporters in Vancouver that she was pleased with the ruling. They met five years ago in a sports bar in Vancouver. Then Blue had his actual wife step in and testify to the court of appeals. There was no way that was going to happen. Now they are fighting for custody and, somehow, race has become an important issue. "He hasn't had a consistent home and he's had to really grow up," she said. Although she states this is a stress release, and that she rarely drinks, it is difficult to know how she could go out, not get to bed until 2 or 3 a.m., and be able to get up to provide for Elijah's best interest. in the highly publicized and controversial case of Elijah Van de Perre, the son of a white mother and black father in British Columbia, the Supreme Court of Canada has just granted custody to Elijah's mother, Kimberly Van de Perre. Elijah was the result. How was Edwards' actual wife able to play the race card saying Elijah needed to know how to grow up black? Their union was damaged by the revelation of Mr. Edwards' affair with Ms. Van de Perre. So couldn't the kid have remained with the mother? They engaged in an 18-month affair that produced Elijah. Van de Perre and Edwards decided to pursue things between themselves and she gave birth to their son Elijah in June of 1997. That way, he would avoid cultural confusion and learn to identify with his black heritage. And the Supreme Court of Canada has simply affirmed again that custody cases should not be tampered with, so to speak, unless there is some overriding and compelling error made by a trial judge," Mr. Mansfield said. She later became a teacher. James and Kimberly are parents to Gwendolyn, 16 months, Emilia, 3, Annabel Leah, 5, and Olivia, 9, plus big brother Joshua, 7. Thank you to all of our friends and co-workers (and dance partners) who have shown up for us so beautifully during this time. Extra thankful right now to have help with my kids. Find the right content for your market. This article was published more than 18 years ago. It arrives at a critical time when, in the highly publicized andcontroversial case of Elijah Van de Perre, the son of a white mother and blackfather in British Columbia, the Supreme Court of Canada has just granted custodyto Elijah''s mother, Kimberly Van de Perre. It doesn't hurt that the producers managed to bring on board Desperate Housewives star Doug Savant. Edwards, who is black, met model Van de Perre, who is white, on the West Coast in 1996 and the two had an 18-month affair. "It doesn't feel right for me to celebrate what just should have been all along," said Van de Perre of the battle for custody of her son, Elijah. In shock. Facebook. ", The judgment quoted Mrs. Edwards as saying that Ms. Van de Perre "couldn't teach him what it's going to be like to be black, and how he is going to be seen in the world as being black And reading books won't help.". It had all the elements -- sex, courtroom drama, a high-stakes battle, tension, love, anger, pain. mother in her custody battle with her child's father, a married, former basketball star. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. A little over a decade ago, Kimberly Van De Perre, a former hotel receptionist from Coquitlam and a basketball "groupie" given to having affairs with players, met Grizzlie basketball player. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Supreme Court. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled in favour of a single B.C. This image could have imperfections as its either historical or reportage. But there needs to be zero shame around it, or around giving yourself the time and space to grieve, James wrote. He is Canadian and he's African-American, and so there are two sides of him that he should be embracing." People so often go through it in secret. Court of Appeal's ruling, saying that Elijah should live with his mother and that the appeal court did not have sufficient grounds to reverse the decision of the original trial judge. tap here to see other videos from our team, Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account and fewer ads, Get exclusive access to the National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on, Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists, Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists, Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword, Access articles from across Canada with one account, Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments, Get email updates from your favourite authors. James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly are mourning the loss of their sixth baby on the way. The original trial judge had awarded custody to Ms. Van de Perre. Press alt + / to open this menu. 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Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. If he is like most children his age, skin colour means as little to him as eye colour and race is something he simply never thinks about. Through the love of a child, she finds herself. Pre-pay for multiple images and download on demand. The court should treat him as such, and leave race out of it. We had Asians. In a judgment that overturned a lower court and awarded custody of Elijah to Mr. Edwards, at least partly on the grounds of race, the B.C. Unlike the original trial judge, the Appeal Court also put great importance on the strength of character of Valerie Edwards -- a woman who refused to let her marriage be torn apart despite her husband's affair with Ms. Van de Perre. The highest court in the land overturned a highly controversial Appeal Court ruling that gave custody of Elijah to Edwards and his wife on the basis that the child would be better off growing up in a black household and in the southern U.S., where the couple had planned to settle. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. ", The Appeal Court judges considered a statement from a psychologist who described Mrs. Edwards as "an energetic woman who is fiercely loyal and devoted to her family and husband. View the profiles of people named Eli Van De Perre. For me, going to school there, it wasn't a big deal. It is worth noting that Ally is a beautiful dancer and we love her like family. ", The Appeal Court also dealt with the delicate issue of race, noting that while Elijah was the son of a black man and a white woman, his dark skin colour meant that he would always be perceived as "being black. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. She agreed. SCOC ruled in favour of a single mother in her custody battle with the child's father, a married former basketball star. At the end of the day, much to my surprise, Van De Perre emerged from the shadows. Custody case involves race, top court told, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. Justice in this case should be colour-blind. Which is why in a time like this its enough to know that youre there. Director Gary Harvey said that rather than being about a legal case, the film is about the growth of a woman from a groundless, directionless lifestyle. mother in her custody battle with her child's father, a married, former basketball star. It was a bitter custody battle that lasted three years, but in the end Canada's top court decided that Theodore (Blue) Edwards' son would be better off with his mother. The Court of Appeal for British Columbia awarded Theodore "Blue" Edwards, a former NBA player with the Grizzlies, and his wife custody of Elijah, Mr. Edwards' three-year-old son. The Jamaican-born Roger Cross, who plays Ty, took time out for an interview between shoots. Thank you for pushing me out on that dance floor, the actor said in a sweet shout-out to his wife before judges awarded him and Slater a 27/30. The judgement on Friday gives a little more stability for Elijah, who was making a seven-hour flight between Van de Perre's home in Vancouver and Edwards' residence in Charlotte, N.C. every three weeks until he developed inner-ear problems due to the frequent flying. Edwards responded initially by seeking joint custody and liberal access, but later changed . Keeping these cuties happy as can be while I replenish at home.. As a result of this affair, Ms. Van de Perre became pregnant and had a son named Elijah in 1997. "And there was no reason to intervene in that decision by the Court of Appeal. She won custody of Elijah after a 26-day trial,. A little over a decade ago, Kimberly Van De Perre, a former hotel receptionist from Coquitlam and a basketball "groupie" given to having affairs with players, met Grizzlie basketball player Theodore (Blue) Edwards in a sports bar. But she later told the court she was more sexually active than she had previously revealed. A generation or two ago in Canada, a black boy with a white mother might have been an object of curiosity, even derision. All you know is that it brings you closer together, it breaks you open, it opens up your heart, it deepens your appreciation, he said. He is the son of the appellant and Mr. Edwards. Court of Appeal reversed that ruling a year ago, giving the Mr. Edwards and his wife custody and Ms. Van de Perre generous access, which meant that Elijah travelled between Vancouver and North Carolina regularly. 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