Meet The Twins Tyquan & Naquon
By Theresa Racine
While walking around Far Rockaway, you may have encountered Tyquan and Naquon, also known as “The Twins,” and their grandmother Evelyn Perch. Late last month, Tyquan and Naquon had a birthday celebration at The B.R.I.D.G.E. Family Enrichment Center on Beach 92nd Street, which is currently closed for repairs. They were both born January 26,1986 in Long Island, but now reside in Rockaway.
After establishing a personal connection with the family, I proposed the idea of writing a story about them. Seeking Brionne’s consent, who is their guardian and their sibling, Bri was very receptive to the idea of sharing the story of Tyquan and Naquon, adults who were born with intellectual disabilities. The identical twins were both diagnosed at a very early age. The boys attended a specialized school for individuals with disabilities, BOCES at Rosemary Kennedy School, until they reached the age of 20 years old, when they aged out and could no longer attend. Before graduating, their mother, Ranelle passed away due to a heart attack in 2004 at the age of 36, when the boys were just 18. Their grandmother, Evelyn Perch, who is now 84 years old, decided not to place them in any program, taking on the responsibility of caring for them herself.
The family has faced numerous challenges as Tyquan and Naquon’s father was also absent. Despite the challenges, Grandma Evelyn says that both of the boys are extremely friendly and talkative. She also mentioned that from a young age, she would take them to various churches, and the boys thoroughly enjoyed spending time especially at their home church, New Hope Missionary Baptist. The word, “No,” would trigger reactions, but it’s improving as they have become older. Evelyn has always worried about letting them out of her sight as she noted, “I worry about them. The world is a cruel world.”
The twins’ favorite food is mac and cheese, pizza, and baked ziti. Both of them love doing things with and for the community. They’ve even made a job out of handing out flyers. So, the next time you encounter them, consider offering them a paid assignment to promote your event. They also love arts and crafts, community meetings, movie nights, fundraisers, and political events. They even like funerals. When Tyquan was asked why he likes funerals, he said, “I really don’t, it makes me sad, but I make people happy.” Brionne says they’ve never cried. The family’s special moments include going to their family reunions, spending time with their cousins, watching television, going out to eat, bowling and going to the theater.
Brionne said, “I see them as free spirits, who only know happiness.” Bri shared that despite his own struggles, he’s happy that the twins don’t experience the world as most of us do. He will carry their grief, worry, anxiety, loss, and hardships of the world, as long as he sees smiles on their faces. Bri also said, “They have brought meaning and a blessing to my life and we are in this for the long haul.”
On Friday, January 31, “The Twins” enjoyed their 38th birthday celebration at The B.R.I.D.G.E. with music, snacks and good company.
