I was impressed the first time I met Patty with her demeanor, her love of children, and her smile. Patty is a Child Evangelism teacher at our community church, and her enthusiasm, her friendliness, and determination encouraged me to ask if I could write an article about her for our November issue of Women Speak. She was kind enough to oblige. Here is her story.
Patty said, “I was born in Forks, Washington on October 4, 1960, and lived with my parents and two brothers. We moved to Grants Pass, Oregon in 1965, and I grew up there, graduating from New Hope Christian School in 1979.
Later, I met my husband and we were married on February 14th, 1982, and moved to Selma, Oregon to live. My husband at the time was a log truck driver. On December 26, 1985 we had our first son, but to our heartbreak was stillborn. It was very hard on us as we love children. So, my husband became a barber, and in 1988 we opened our own barber shop beneath an alternative education school. So, besides the barber shop we installed a game room, pool tables, an arcade with games, and a jukebox. We knew it would be a safe place for the kids to hang out. During the time we lived in Selma, I taught Sunday School and helped at Good News Clubs too. My mother-in-law helped me get into Child Evangelism three months after I got married, and I started first as a helper and I’ve taught for 25 years.
Then on June 11, 1992, we had another son we called Jonathon and were so happy. In 1997 we had our third son Jaxson on November 22nd; our family was complete. However, while walking the boys to school every day, my right leg was starting to bother me and it was getting difficult to walk. I went to a Chiropractic doctor for treatment which helped, but I kept getting worse. I had an MRI, but it still couldn’t be determined what was wrong with me.
After going to various doctors but still not getting the correct diagnosis, I had to start walking with two canes. I had a muscle biopsy, and went to Oregon State University, but they didn’t tell me what was wrong either. I then went to a back specialist in Ashland, who sent me to Stanford for a nerve con-duction test, and learned I had Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. I went next to a Neurologist for a second opinion, and he also confirmed I had ALS.
I can’t stand properly, and had a fall which damaged my knees and made my condition worse. When your nerves don’t tell your muscles to move, you lose your ability to walk. I started to use a wheelchair off and on. But, my husband and my family were very supportive and helped as much as they could. My husband became a barber again, and in October of 2002 we moved to Rogue River, Oregon. My father had been a pastor in the Civic Building in Rogue River for years, but passed away a few months ago.
Since September of 2008, I have had to be in a wheelchair, but my husband is always so helpful to me and caring, and working close to home helps too. Having such a close and supportive family has been very important to me. I have much to be grateful for.
I have learned to not sweat the small stuff. A clean house doesn’t bring happiness, but God brings happiness through hard times. My outlook to the future is- Don’t Worry!. God has given me peace, and has given me more time for whatever reason. So enjoy the present, enjoy your family and all of the things that are important to you, and God will give you peace.”
Patty has been a great inspiration to me, and her story is incredible. She’s always smiling and loves working with the kids’ in child evangelism, and her own two sons. She was kind enough to share her story with me, and I hope it inspired you as well.
Helen L. Price
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