Deborah Lynne Perry is a single mother who plays on local roller derby and rugby teams.
Perry steadies herself after getting her hands taped up during a roller derby tournament in Philadelphia, Penn. The day before her hand was crushed during a rugby tournament in Connecticut.
Perry’s jersey number is 0101 in honor of her mother who died on New Years Day in 2008. Perry said, “I wear it because I know she always has my back.”
Perry plays in a men’s roller derby league to challenge herself in the sport.
Piper watches as her mother coaches a physical fitness class at Edge Strength and Conditioning in Syracuse, N.Y.
Uticuse rushes towards Brooklyn during the women’s rugby semi-final match.
Perry Played the entire semi-final match against Brooklyn, despite having fractured her hand during the previous weekends match.
Perry is a recently single mother raising her 3-year-old daughter Piper. Perry said, “I want her to grow up knowing she can do anything.”
Perry and her husband separated 6 months ago, and Perry discovered rugby at that same time. Perry said, “It gave me something to do and focus on during a rough time in my life.”
Perry is a licensed personal trainer in addition to running her own business.
“My uncle used to work for Disney,” said Perry when asked about her daughters collection of Mickey and Minnie Mouse’s.
Perry’s goal is to be an example of strength and health for her daughter, because Perry lost her own mother in 2008 to obesity.
Perry starts her day by working out in a home gym she has built in her basement.
“I know my mother would have wanted to be here for all of this,” said Perry of raising her daughter. Her mother was always supportive of Perry being an athlete. “I know she would be proud,” said Perry.
