DePelchin Children's Center :: The Patterson Family

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The Patterson Family

While serving as foster parents for 49 children from 1995-2003, the Pattersons maintained a “therapeutic” foster home and were licensed and trained to care for children with severe emotional disturbances. During that time, they also began fostering abused and neglected horses. Caring for the horses was therapeutic for many of the foster children, giving them control over something larger than themselves, according to Shirley. Therapeutic foster homes provide a safe and nurturing environment—but one less restrictive than an institution—in which emotionally disturbed children can develop the skills they need to function well in society and outside of specialized facilities.

“We’re just a typical family,” Shirley Patterson explains as she and husband Tom take a short break from their Saturday chores. It’s early January, and on this particular Saturday, the Pattersons are cleaning out their bedroom closet and winding down from a busy holiday season.

Nearby are five of the couple’s children, ranging in age from 6 to 14. For this family, a Saturday at home—even when it’s spent cleaning closets—is a welcome respite from the usual barrage of baseball games, cheerleading and band practice, school meetings, and countless other activities that encompass their busy routine.

Easy-going, patient and energetic, the Pattersons seem to take it all in stride. “The kids keep us young,” says Shirley in her matter-of-fact way. Tom agrees, content in the knowledge that together, he and Shirley can accomplish almost anything. After all, they did raise four biological sons who have grown into successful adults with families of their own. When their sons left home, the couple chose to become foster parents, caring for 49 foster children from 1995-2003.

Shirley and Tom adopted five of their foster children and have recently opened their home to two more. The newest additions to their household, an eight-year-old girl and her six-year-old brother, are the biological siblings of two of the couple’s adopted children. Their adoptions are expected to be finalized this year.

The Pattersons received national recognition for their exceptional dedication to adoption and foster care when they were presented with the 2007 National Angels in Adoption award in Washington, D.C. This prestigious award is presented as part of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Angels in Adoption™ program, which gives members of Congress the opportunity to honor constituents who have enriched the lives of foster children and orphans.

The Pattersons were selected by Congressman Nick Lampson, of the 22nd District of Texas. DePelchin sponsored a two-day trip to Washington where the Pattersons attended a special gala with other honorees and adoption advocates, including basketball star Alonzo Mourning and award-winning recording artist Patti LaBelle.

“We were very honored to receive this award, and we are so appreciative to DePelchin and Congressman Lampson for nominating us.” says Tom. “Foster care and adoption have given our lives more meaning, and being recognized for something we love and believe in is extremely gratifying.”

Joni De Soto, a clinician with Post Adoption Services at DePelchin, has worked with the Pattersons throughout their adoption experiences and attests to their exceptional dedication and commitment. “In this job, I am constantly amazed by the huge hearts and selfless devotion of our adoptive parents,” she says. “The Pattersons embody these qualities in every way. To be honored as ‘Angels in Adoption’ is a fitting tribute to a very deserving couple.”