Patrick Lenihan

My current profile picture is my costume for this year.

I use Little Hotties Adhesive Toe Warmers.

I love this essay! I admire the emotional honesty of your writing.

This should be a good resource for planning for your future.

https://disabilityhubmn.org/

I recently saw a movie called Tom of Your Life that I highly recommend. It is very charming and quirky indie comedy film. It can be rented on Amazon Prime and on Apple TV.

I have a propane fire pit that I love. It provides a lot of heat and has no smoke. My neighborhood brewery has propane heat lamps in their beer garden and prior to the pandemic I would sit comfortably under one all winter long. I also have heated vest that is powered by usb power bank that enables me to spend more time outdoors in the winter. We…[Read more]

Other things that should be in your hospital bag are your insurance information and advanced medical directives.

I use the ResMed AirFit N10.

I have traveled to Mexico, Canada, England, The Netherlands and France. Europe had less architectural accessibility than we had back when I went 22 years ago, but the peoples’ attitudes toward disabled people were much more enlightened than what I experienced here. Whenever I encountered a barrier people offered to help before I had a chance to…[Read more]

I handle the loss of abilities like I handle the death of loved ones. I mourn. I cry. I adapt and eventually move on. With the passage of time, I usually remember fondly the memories of using my now lost functions although at times there are some pangs of sadness.

DeAnn, I have had the chair for 4 years and will be replacing the motors for the first time later this month. I ordered the new motors last Tuesday. I am really hard on motors and had to replace the motors on my previous chair which was an Invacare Ranger every 2-3 years. During the spring summer and fall it is not unusual for me to put in 20…[Read more]

I  have never driven a front wheel drive chair. I do prefer rear wheel drive to center wheel drive. I currently have a Quickie S636 and I love it. Perhaps the options you want are available on the S636. It doesn’t hurt to ask.  You can check out the specs here :   https://www.sunrisemedical.com/power-wheelchairs/quickie/rear-wheel-drive/s-6-series

I am originally from Stonington Ct but I lived in Charlestown RI from the age 9 until I moved to the Pacific Northwest when I was 38. I am a URI grad and used to spend a lot of my free time in Providence. Many of the places I frequented like the Cable Car Cinema, Lupos, Stone Soup Coffee House and Club Baby Head are long gone. After last call, I’d…[Read more]

I have maintained my caregivers throughout the pandemic but since late February we have had a strict glove and mask policy in our home. My caregivers happen to have medically vulnerable family members living in their own homes so they have been taking the pandemic seriously and refraining from risky behaviors when not working.

In my dream world where money is no object, I would hop on a plane to TF Green and get a ride to Aunt Carrie’s for some clam cakes, RI clear broth clam chowder and a hot lobster roll. Maybe wash it down with a Dels while sitting on Salty Brine Beach and then take a ride to the Fantastic Umbrella Factory.

Rear wheel vs mid wheel vs front wheel drive is a very important consideration.  Don’t let anybody pressure you into what you do not want. You are the person who has to live with the chair for the next 5 years. Tilt, recline, articulating elevating leg rests are all features that should be easily medically justifiable if you want those features.…[Read more]

Seeing live music at a small theater or club, dining out at a restaurant or pub or going to Vancouver BC for the day.