Lois Liddle

When Los Liddle was 12-years old, she compiled a list of everything she wanted to accomplish during her lifetime. Amazingly, she has acheived almost every goal—including opening her home to abused children.

Ms. Liddle has been a single parent since 1980 and has raised two biological sons, Duke, who is married to Kathy, and Chad Liddle. She is also a licensed professional counselor and has been a therapeutic foster care provider since 1992. She currently has three siblings in her care, ages 13 to 16. Her home is the children’s first and only placement since they entered the foster care system in 1996 after suffering severe abuse while in the custody of their biological parents.

When the children came to her, they were physically and emotionally fragile, and their development lagged behind that of other children their age. It seemed unlikely that they would ever be adopted. Despite this, Ms. Liddle welcomed them into her home, not knowing what the future would hold but committed to providing them with a safe and nurturing home in which to heal.

And heal they have. The child who was once a candidate for long-term hospitalization not only learned to read, he has taken piano and art lessons, and today is a freshman in high school. He does the announcements for Lions for Christ and was named star student. Last summer, he held down a part time job. Another enjoys music, movies, loves art and is a sophomore in high school. The youngest is a competitive cheerleader and is part of a regular classroom.

“The children had severe behavioral issues and were diagnosed with mental retardation when they were young,“ said Kyntra Lighten, the family’s DePelchin caseworker. “With Ms. Liddle as their caregiver and biggest cheerleader, each child has surpassed expectations. She provided the structure and stability for these children to thrive, and she has given them not just a place to sleep, but a home of their own.”

When asked what motivated her at the young age of 12 to want to help children, Ms. Liddle credited her own mother’s “awesome” role modeling. “I had a wonderful mother who raised six children by herself after my father died,” she said. “Even as a child, I knew that not everyone was fortunate enough to have a mother like mine, and although I’ll never be as good as she was, I know that I have something to offer these kids that they might not otherwise have.”

Helping children in need is a skill that also carries over to Ms. Liddle’s professional life as a counselor with Livingston Independent School District. She excels at helping teens overcome difficulties, succeed in school and earn their diplomas.

Even her “free” time is devoted to children. She and her biological son, Chad, are helping to financially sponsor an orphanage in the Ukraine. This recently resulted in the orphanage installing showers, allotting each child one gallon of water so they can shower daily. The children of the orphanage also have a little league program, and Chad and Ms. Liddle are providing uniforms, many of which Ms. Liddle has sewn herself. She was ecstatic to learn that the team came to the United States to participate in an All-Star game. Another of Ms. Liddle’s favorite activities is spending time with her grandson, Luke. At age five, Luke is already scoring points on the soccer field, and the entire family enjoys cheering him on at his games.

Ms. Liddle is looking forward to expanding her foster family soon by adding another sibling group. To make room for the new arrivals, she recently purchased a larger home, which she and the children spent much of the summer decorating.

Although almost every entry in her life’s “to do” list has been completed, Ms. Liddle still takes each day as it comes, looking forward to the next adventure and meeting challenges with patience, kindness and determination. Her success, she says, is possible because of the support offered by her loving family, friends, co-workers and supervisors.

“I am just one of those blessed people who gets to do God’s work by helping others be successful,” she concluded. “I know He will continue to use me where I’m needed, and I will always answer His call.”