Good Neighbor Podcast: Frisco

EP #58: Caring for the Heart: Pat T. Nixon's Journey with We Are One Heart Foundation and Elder Care Advocacy

• Sophia Yvette

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What makes Pat T. Nixon with We Are One Heart Foundation a good neighbor?


Can you imagine the heartbreak and complexity of caring for an aging parent without adequate support? Join us on the Good Neighbor Podcast as we sit down with Pat T. Nixon, the dynamic founder of We Are One Heart Foundation. Pat opens up about her personal odyssey, from the emotional and financial challenges she faced while caring for her elderly father to the creation of her nonprofit aimed at supporting families navigating similar struggles. She demystifies common misconceptions about elder care, particularly the financial burdens that families often encounter due to insufficient government and insurance aid.

Beyond her foundation work, Pat's story is one of resilience and empowerment. She shares her passion for travel and the transformative women's retreats she organizes, providing a space for self-care and community among female professionals. Pat's inspiring journey from being abandoned by her parents and dropping out of high school to becoming a nursepreneur illustrates her unwavering determination to turn adversity into strength. Tune in to be moved by her story and learn more about how We Are One Heart Foundation is making a difference.

To learn more about We Are One Heart Foundation go to:
www.wa1h.org

 We Are One Heart Foundation
 940-435-3530

Speaker 1:

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Sophia Yvette.

Speaker 2:

Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Are you in need of a nonprofit serving elderly? Surprisingly, one may be closer than you think. Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to your neighbor, pat T Nixon. With we Are One Heart Foundation, pat, how are you doing today?

Speaker 3:

I am fabulous. How are you today, Sophia?

Speaker 2:

I'm great. Thank you so much for asking. We are so excited to learn all about you and your business. Can you tell us a bit about your nonprofit?

Speaker 3:

Sure, we Are One Heart Foundation was founded in 2017 after I assumed care for my elderly father. My dad moved down from Chicago because I thought I could save the day, being a nurse by profession, and I was just faced with some heartache and very difficult truths, very difficult decisions, very difficult truths, very difficult decisions and almost what felt like a matrix that kept me entangled until he actually passed away, and so I founded we Are One Heart Foundation the year after his passing in honor of him, but to help other sons, daughters and spouses that may be going through the struggle of aging with a loved one and spouses that may be going through the struggle of aging with a loved one, and I was just about to ask you how you got into this business?

Speaker 3:

What industry were you in before this? Yeah, so I am a nurse by profession. I'll tell you. I call myself a nursepreneur. I have been starting businesses since I was about six years old. I took the candy off of my mom's living room table and took it outside to sell it, and luckily I had a mom with the entrepreneur mindset. So when I made a couple of dollars, she then took me to the wholesale store and said let me show you what you do next. And so, although I did go to school to attain a bachelor's degree in nursing and I've worked in all different realms of nursing, my heart and my passion is in helping the elderly and helping other business owners bring their dreams into reality.

Speaker 2:

And what are the myths or misconceptions in your industry? I'm sure there might be a few.

Speaker 3:

Sure, I think that one of the big myths in elder care in general is that there's all this government money or insurance that helps pay for long-term care. And the truth is, is there? Normally is not, unless your loved one was one of the smart ones that invested in a long-term care policy. Chances are, when they fall sick, paying for care can cost them upwards of $8,000 a month, and a lot of times it's just not unattainable and unfortunately, medicare does not cover any portion of that. Medicaid is not as easy or as readily available as some people think.

Speaker 2:

And outside of work. What do you do for fun? I?

Speaker 3:

travel, so I'm very excited. This year, 2024, we did our first ever women's retreat in St Lucia, got together a bunch of female bosses, professionals and entrepreneurs Went to St Lucia to do some self-care and we have decided to make that an annual thing. I love going to new places, experiencing different cultures, and I really love doing it with other like-minded women.

Speaker 2:

That is amazing. Now let's go ahead and change gears for a second, because I know we've discussed a lot of the positives. But can you describe one hardship or life challenge? You rose above and can now say because of it, you're better and stronger? I know you did. How can I say it? Creatively parented in general.

Speaker 3:

One of the things I talk about with my ladies is how I was pretty much abandoned by both my mom and my father, and now, as a healing adult, I recognize the strength that that forced me to have some positive strength, some kind of traumatic and maybe toxic strength, but nevertheless it put me in a position to get out into the world and really be courageous enough to try things Right. And so, being a young lady dropping out of high school no high school education I quickly learned that I had to try things and I had to keep trying in order to negate my preconceived failure.

Speaker 2:

And so I live by a theory that failure is not an option and, believe it or not, that came from being abandoned.

Speaker 3:

Wow, what a powerful story, pat. Please tell our listeners one thing, if only one, they should remember about we Are One Heart Foundation. When it comes to care, daughters, sons, spouses, significant others, loved ones should be able to focus on being just that a loved one and not have to focus on being the caregiver. There are resources available. You can reach out to us. I'd be more than happy to help you navigate.

Speaker 2:

And how can our listeners learn more about we Are One Heart Foundation.

Speaker 3:

Sure, the easiest way to learn about our organization is to visit our W dot W a, the number one H dot org. You can also call us. We have a toll free number eight, eight, eight, nine, six, nine, three, six, nine four and we have a team that is not only ready but eager to help individuals that are going through long-term care issues.

Speaker 2:

Well, Pat, I really appreciate you being on the show. We wish you and your nonprofit the best moving forward.

Speaker 3:

Thanks, sophia, same to you.

Speaker 1:

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpfriscocom. That's gnpfriscocom, or call 469-221-9345.