Nurse Turns Childhood Pain Into 24 Years Helping Others

Patrick Lacroix spends his own money buying sandwiches for clients and his own time searching for missing patients, but he never expected anyone would call him a hero for it.

The Thunder Bay registered nurse has spent 24 years helping people with severe mental illness through outpatient programs. His journey to nursing started in an unlikely place: watching his stepfather struggle with bipolar disorder during his teenage years.

"As much as I had no patience for my stepfather when he was ill with bipolar disorder, I did a 360 and now that's what I do for a living," Patrick said. Growing up, he didn't understand the illness, but that childhood experience quietly shaped his future.

Patrick worked in the lumber industry for nearly two decades before the sector began declining. That's when he decided to become a registered practical nurse, then upgraded to a registered nurse and never looked back.

Now he supports clients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and addiction issues. The work has changed over the years, especially as more people face both mental health and addiction challenges at the same time.

Sunny's Take

The warmth Patrick brings to his work shows up in small moments. During an interview with TBnewswatch, a client spotted him and called out, "How the hell are ya doin'?" like greeting an old friend. That's exactly what Patrick has become to many of his clients.

He goes beyond his job description regularly. He buys food for clients when he sees them around town and joins search parties when someone goes missing, all on his own time and with his own resources.

When TBnewswatch named him May's Community Hero and told him he'd receive $200 to donate to a charity of his choice, Patrick responded with genuine surprise: "Oh wow, that's fantastic!"

The recognition is part of TBnewswatch's monthly program celebrating everyday people who make Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario better. Each month features a different theme, from Resolution Role Models in January to Holiday Heroes in December.

Patrick's story proves that sometimes our hardest childhood experiences can transform into our greatest gifts to others.