Janet Patterson
MSW, RSW Social Worker
Designation and Experience
I completed a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Western Ontario in 1975; and a Masters of Social Work from McGill University in 1982.
Since graduating in 1975 I have worked with troubled youth in a residential treatment center, with spinal cord injury patients and stroke patients on a Rehabilitation Unit, and with couples who had experienced a miscarriage or neonatal loss. I also worked at a family counseling agency, doing marriage and family counseling prior to joining Adoption By Choice.
What inspires you?
Seeing people make good decisions in their lives when they doubted whether they could or not. Seeing adoptive parents have the courage to welcome their child’s birthparents into their family. Seeing birth parents proudly remain an important part of their child’s life.
Really good, healthy food!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Being married for 34 years to an absolute prince of a guy, and being the mother of two great girls. Being part of ABC for since the beginning.
What are your hobbies or interests?
I love cycling, running, working out, reading and cooking. Also traveling.
Why should people come to Adoption By Choice?
Adoption By Choice is dedicated to helping birth families and adoptive families honor and respect the part that each of them plays in their child’s life. The people who work at ABC, some of whom are adoptive parents themselves, bring a great deal of experience, knowledge and sensitivity to their roles as they help you build the kind of adoption plan that feels the most comfortable for you, and will fit the best for you and your family. Plus, we have a lot of fun with the birth families and adoptive families that come to our annual picnic!
Why you chose to work for Adoption By Choice?
I started with ABC in January, 1989, just 3 months after we adopted our first daughter, and I have worked part-time ever since. That’s more than 20 years!! I have learned so much from all of the birth parents and adoptive parents that I have had the pleasure of working with over the years, and I think that it has made me a better adoptive mom! I love being with ABC and look forward to another 20 years ( well….maybe not 20).