Support My Mom, Brenda Patton
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Meet my mother, Brenda Patton.
I ask for your help with my mom. Many of you know her story, and many of you don't. Let me tell you all about this amazing woman and why she needs your help.
Brenda is the mother of four kids, wife to Bill Patton (now deceased), and "granna" to 9 grandchildren. Though her early life was filled with turmoil, she became an outstanding member of the Oklahoma City community. She was heavily involved in Christian Women's Club for many years. There, I witnessed her passion for bringing people to the love of Christ. Her leadership, finesse, commitment, and beauty were an inspiration to so many, especially her kids.
She was a high school teacher of English literature. Her attention to the lives of her students made her a favorite at John Marshall and Putnam City High Schools. She loved teaching English, especially Shakespeare. Being a foster child growing up, my mother always tried to be there for those who were in need the most. I remember her bringing kids that had no place to live home from school. They would bunk with us until they found stability. She was so kind, merciful, and sacrificial.
She taught all her kids about Christ, made sure we were in church, read the Bible to us, and displayed such commitment to God. It is only now that I have learned to appreciate such a radical display of godliness and grace.
Due to her influence, I went to seminary in 1998. Though we had lively debates over particulars in theology (and she would get so mad at me!), she supported me though it all. I could not have made it through seminary without her.
In 2004, her daughter (my sister) Angie ended her life after a two year battle with depression. You can only imagine how hard this was on my mom. She kept her faith, but was very angry with God. She told me one time, "Michael, I will still follow him, but right now I don't like him." I love her honesty.
In 2006, at age 56, due to her high blood pressure and depression about Angie, my mother suffered a horrible ruptured brain aneurysm. Due to this, she was left unable to walk (paralyzed on the left side), talk (except for a few phrases), or engage in society the way she had for so many years. Much of her frontal lobe was removed, leaving her with the mentality of a child in many ways.
Here is a picture of less than ten years ago.
Here she is today with Katelynn (my oldest daughter) and Will (my oldest son).
It was at this time I decided to leave my position as Singles Pastor at Stonebriar Community to come help take care of my mother. She needed people to sit with her around the clock, feeding, moving and changing her.
My father preferred not to put her in a nursing home and we did everything we could to help him. Over the next several years, my mother gained a significant amount of weight, making it very hard, if not impossible, to move and change her. Eventually, I was the only one who could do it so I devoted quite a bit of energy to her care. Eventually, my family and I moved into my parent's home.
While there, my father lost his job and sank into deep depression. He died of pneumonia on November 8, 2014 at 66. We continued to stay at their house taking care of my mother.
Less than a year ago I began to realize that I could not care for my mother adequately. As well, my physical and mental health were struggling due to all these events. Finally, we decided to put my mother in a nursing home late last year. That is the situation as of today.
I am asking you to me help take care of my mother. Her medical expenses and payment for the nursing home have fallen on our family (my sisters and I) and they are well beyond what we are able to afford. For various complicated reasons, we cannot go the Medicaid route at this time.
My mother is a 65 year old widow who is the sweetest person you would ever meet. Even in the nursing home, with very few words, my mother continues to inspire joy and excitement. Her diminished mentality has not kept her from finding enjoyment in life. She makes you feel like you are the only person in the world. She doesn't even argue with me about theology any more! Those of you who have seen her know about how sweet she is. Those of you who have not are missing out on meeting one of the greatest ladies in the world.
This is why I ask you to help as we attempt to give my mother adequate care and take care of medical bills. All donations will go to the past medical dept and the future care of my mom. Twenty-thousand would be so great and would help us to move forward with confidence. The more she receives beyond this, the longer she can get proper care.
This is so hard for me to reach out and ask like this, but my mother is too extraordinary for me not to try. My mother and my whole family will be greatful for any amount you can give.
I ask for your help with my mom. Many of you know her story, and many of you don't. Let me tell you all about this amazing woman and why she needs your help.
Brenda is the mother of four kids, wife to Bill Patton (now deceased), and "granna" to 9 grandchildren. Though her early life was filled with turmoil, she became an outstanding member of the Oklahoma City community. She was heavily involved in Christian Women's Club for many years. There, I witnessed her passion for bringing people to the love of Christ. Her leadership, finesse, commitment, and beauty were an inspiration to so many, especially her kids.
She was a high school teacher of English literature. Her attention to the lives of her students made her a favorite at John Marshall and Putnam City High Schools. She loved teaching English, especially Shakespeare. Being a foster child growing up, my mother always tried to be there for those who were in need the most. I remember her bringing kids that had no place to live home from school. They would bunk with us until they found stability. She was so kind, merciful, and sacrificial.
She taught all her kids about Christ, made sure we were in church, read the Bible to us, and displayed such commitment to God. It is only now that I have learned to appreciate such a radical display of godliness and grace.
Due to her influence, I went to seminary in 1998. Though we had lively debates over particulars in theology (and she would get so mad at me!), she supported me though it all. I could not have made it through seminary without her.
In 2004, her daughter (my sister) Angie ended her life after a two year battle with depression. You can only imagine how hard this was on my mom. She kept her faith, but was very angry with God. She told me one time, "Michael, I will still follow him, but right now I don't like him." I love her honesty.
In 2006, at age 56, due to her high blood pressure and depression about Angie, my mother suffered a horrible ruptured brain aneurysm. Due to this, she was left unable to walk (paralyzed on the left side), talk (except for a few phrases), or engage in society the way she had for so many years. Much of her frontal lobe was removed, leaving her with the mentality of a child in many ways.
Here is a picture of less than ten years ago.
Here she is today with Katelynn (my oldest daughter) and Will (my oldest son).
It was at this time I decided to leave my position as Singles Pastor at Stonebriar Community to come help take care of my mother. She needed people to sit with her around the clock, feeding, moving and changing her.
My father preferred not to put her in a nursing home and we did everything we could to help him. Over the next several years, my mother gained a significant amount of weight, making it very hard, if not impossible, to move and change her. Eventually, I was the only one who could do it so I devoted quite a bit of energy to her care. Eventually, my family and I moved into my parent's home.
While there, my father lost his job and sank into deep depression. He died of pneumonia on November 8, 2014 at 66. We continued to stay at their house taking care of my mother.
Less than a year ago I began to realize that I could not care for my mother adequately. As well, my physical and mental health were struggling due to all these events. Finally, we decided to put my mother in a nursing home late last year. That is the situation as of today.
I am asking you to me help take care of my mother. Her medical expenses and payment for the nursing home have fallen on our family (my sisters and I) and they are well beyond what we are able to afford. For various complicated reasons, we cannot go the Medicaid route at this time.
My mother is a 65 year old widow who is the sweetest person you would ever meet. Even in the nursing home, with very few words, my mother continues to inspire joy and excitement. Her diminished mentality has not kept her from finding enjoyment in life. She makes you feel like you are the only person in the world. She doesn't even argue with me about theology any more! Those of you who have seen her know about how sweet she is. Those of you who have not are missing out on meeting one of the greatest ladies in the world.
This is why I ask you to help as we attempt to give my mother adequate care and take care of medical bills. All donations will go to the past medical dept and the future care of my mom. Twenty-thousand would be so great and would help us to move forward with confidence. The more she receives beyond this, the longer she can get proper care.
This is so hard for me to reach out and ask like this, but my mother is too extraordinary for me not to try. My mother and my whole family will be greatful for any amount you can give.
Organiser
Michael Patton
Organiser
Edmond, OK
