Patrick Lenihan

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.

I do have friends come over to the yard for social distancing visits. We only have a couple of people over at a time and masks are worn when we are less than 10 feet apart. Chairs are set 10 feet apart for those who don’t live in the same household. Pacific Northwest summers are amazing so even if there was no pandemic, we would be entertaining outside.

I walk the dog around the neighborhood almost every day. Today we did a 4.5 mile stroll. I like to walk (roll) down to the bay and watch the sail boats. I am also always looking out for orcas because they have been in the bay twice in the last month but both sightings were a couple of hours after I left. I fly kites and do what I call wheelchair…[Read more]

Lately I have been really enjoying a science podcast called Ologies with Alie Ward. Another science podcast I like is Quirks and Quarks. I love The Moth which is a story telling podcast. Ouch the cabin fever podcast is a really good disability issues podcast.  The Splendid Table is about food and cooking. WTF With Marc Maron is a great interview…[Read more]

When I was still able to get around using crutches about a year before making the transition to a wheelchair,  I traveled around Europe for three weeks without any travel companions or care givers. Since making the switch to the chair I have ridden in a sea kayak in Glacier Bay Alaska. The boat I was on had a Hoyer sling hooked to the davit that…[Read more]

Christy Brown’s “Down All The Days” and “My Left Foot”

Ben Mattlin’s “Miracle Boy Grows Up” and “In Sickness and in Health”

Some of my podcast recommendations are WTF with Marc Maron, The Moth, The Splendid Table, My Dad Wrote a Porno, Quirks and Quarks, Car Talk, Radiolab, Snap Judgement, American Masters, Stuff You Missed in History Class, and Ouch.

Las Vegas is one of the most accessible cities I have been to. It is not really my type of city but their is a lot to do there and I can see why people like going there. I love Victoria B.C. . It has the feel of an old European city but accessibility is quite good. Curb cuts are plentiful. The public transit is accessible and there are many…[Read more]

Once when I was leaving a restaurant, a very expensive car was parked in the curb cut next to the disabled parking spot making it impossible for me to safely get to my car. Now for the record, let me make clear that I would never encourage people to take the law into their own hands. Vandalism and vigilantism is wrong but…. I may have had my…[Read more]

I was a DJ at my University’s radio station. I wrote and performed stand up comedy for 20 years. I still write material but I haven’t performed in many years. I used to shoot black and white photos and later hand color the black and white prints. Over the last ten years my primary creative outlet has been playing harmonica.

My entire family and some of my closest friends live on the east coast and I live thousands of miles away on the west coast. I use phone calls, messaging and Facebook to keep in touch with them.

I give them rides on the footrests of my wheelchair. When it snows I have tied a sled to the back of my wheelchair and pulled them around the yard. I talk to them about things they like. I read to them. I play games with them.