Is there a way to make my hair soft and curly again after a perm destroyed the texture?

When I was 17 I allowed a friend to perm my hair so that I could wear it straight. I know now that was a big mistake and my hair has never been the same since. I have professionally gotten my hair permed in desperation because my hair is now half curly at the top and stringy at the bottom. I am really looking for a way to get my hair to either grow back the way it used to or as close to it as I can get so that I can wear it out naturally. My hair now is very dry and breaks off even when I get trims and go to the salon. I haven't gotten my hair permed for almost a year now but I am tired of getting it straightened all the time. Plz help if you have experinced this problem. Oh I am also of more than one race black, native american, white if that helps.