COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Kids aren't supposed to meet Santa Claus from a hospital bed, but much of Patterson McKinley's young life was spent in the hospital.
Patterson was born with DiGeorge syndrome, a disorder that causes all kinds of developmental problems.
"Even with everything he had going on, he could still find a way to smile or he would interact with you, he'd kick his feet or hold your hold your hand," said Patterson's mom, Katie McKinley.
Katie remembers giving birth, only to have her son rushed into surgery. Two weeks later, she'd get to hold her son for the first time.
If that seems like a long time to wait, it was nothing compared to the 100 days Katie would later spend in a hospital waiting room with nothing to do but sit and wait. The experience left the McKinley's with the desire to help other parents.
And so "Patty Packs" were born. Patterson's father, Dave McKinley, explains.
"Big packs of tissue, little snacks, we've had a dentist donate toothbrushes and toothpaste, necessities kind of just to get through the day," said Dave.
The McKinley's came up with the tote bags loaded with notebooks, puzzles, coffee mugs and stress balls.
They've delivered 500 to MUSC with hopes of expanding in the new year.
"The Kleenex or a game book are fine for drying eyes or entertaining you for 3 minutes, but just to know if you need to have a question answered or just to vent to somebody who has been in those shoes, that's the biggest and most important thing," said Dave.
Patterson was there in March when the first delivery was made to MUSC's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
That same month, the McKinley's got a chance to celebrate Patterson's first and what would be his only Christmas at home. Weeks later, he'd be rushed back to MUSC for the final time.
"As much as this was my worst nightmare, I felt okay being there with the people I knew loved him and had taken such good care of him," said Katie. "MUSC gave us Patterson for almost a year, and we wanted to try to do something to give back to other families like ours."
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