The Powers-Patey Family

For as long as they can remember, Leigh and Laura have had the desire to have children and raise a family. Initially, the couple looked into conceiving through in vitro fertilization. As fate would have it, they went on to adopt two boys, and their concept about parenting would be changed forever.

Though they believed adoption was a great option, they worried about losing the full experience of parenting and first decided to have an infant. Around the same time Jesse was featured in the local newspaper, the Newton Tab, after appearing on “Wednesday’s Child” in February 1998 at the age of 10. He had been in and out of foster care for most of his life.

Someone who knew Jesse advocated on his behalf and sent all the clergy in the area a copy of the article and a letter asking for assistance in finding a home for Jesse. The priest at the couple’s church shared this information with his parishioners. Laura first saw the article and was taken by Jesse and saddened that he still had not found a family. She went home and immediately called Leigh to tell her about Jesse. They followed up with Jesse’s social worker, and went through MAPP training and the homestudy with the intent of adopting Jesse. Jesse was placed with Leigh and Laura in July 1998, and they like to joke that he adopted them. Shortly after they first met, Jesse moved his Play Station into Laura and Leigh’s house.

Leigh and Laura’s world expanded as they became involved in local sports, which Jesse loves playing. They also quickly learned that they had misconceptions about what it was like to raise an older child. While in foster care, Jesse had experienced a lot of instability and missed out on many opportunities. Leigh and Laura found themselves having conversations with Jesse that they never expected to have with a preteen.

Jesse continues to grow and amaze his family. He made his parents proud when he presented an award to honor Jack Williams at the Home for Little Wanderers’ Annual Recognition Reception in May 2002. Now almost 18, Jesse will be graduating from high school in June 2006 and hopes to pursue his dream of playing college baseball. He is gifted athlete who has been scouted by professional teams.

In November 2003, Leigh, Laura and Jesse welcomed 11-year-old Alex into their family. Laura and Leigh had wanted a second child, but it was Jesse who convinced them that they were ready. They were looking to adopt another boy of Latino descent so that the two children could have each other as a support system. They were matched with Alex, a Latino boy, who seemed perfect for their family. Alex, however, had stated that he was not interested in being adopted. Leigh, Laura and Jesse visited with him anyway, and they all connected right away. After a few weekend visits, Alex did not want to leave.

Alex is entering high school in September 2005 and keeps everyone on their toes. Alex is an avid reader, often reading several books at the same time. He is exploring his interest in natural sciences through the Environmental Science Program (ESP) offered for middle and high school students in Newton this summer. Like his older brother, he enjoys playing baseball in the springtime. They all share a home in Needham with their three cats.

Raising older children has been a learning experience for these parents, and they have grown together as a family. Their boys have opened up, shared and processed their feelings about their troubled past. Laura and Leigh have come to realize that they could have a positive effect on the boys’ lives, which they thought would only have been possible with infants. It has been a lot of work, and keeping a sense of humor has been important in getting through life’s daily struggles. It has all been well worth it because their boys have brought them such joy, and have inspired them to become more involved with helping others pursue adoption through foster care. Laura and Leigh enjoy sitting on MAPP panels and sharing their experience with new families. In 2004, Laura completed the training that allows her to teach MAPP training class and has co-facilitated several MAPP groups a year since then.