Phil Quinlan, a 49-year-old father of two from Navan, Ireland, has defied the odds after suffering a catastrophic brain injury and undergoing a life-saving operation. The injury, which occurred when Phil was 15, left him paralysed down one side and in a coma for 10 days.
Despite facing significant challenges, Phil has never let his disability limit his independence or his thirst for life and exploration. He recently travelled with his family to Center Parcs in Longford Forest, with his portable mobility scooter, which he believes has helped him find a new lease of life.
Speaking about his experience, Phil said: “We really love Longford Forest, it’s a beautiful, peaceful retreat and there’s just so much to do for all the family, including the in-laws when they join us. We shared an adapted lodge, which was located not too far from the main village, and it’s designed specifically with accessibility in mind. Compared to other resorts, Longford Forest is in a totally different league.”
Adapted lodges at Longford Forest come supplied with dedicated disabled parking nearby, ramps to help with access to accommodation, lowered countertops, handrails throughout the properties and ‘walk-in’ or ‘wheel-in’ showers. The village public areas also provide ramped entrances and walkways in most areas to further help with accessibility.
Phil also uses his scooter to help him coach his kid’s local football team. He can often be seen driving up and down the touchline with his scooter, schooling and supporting his team.
“My scooter copes just fine on the grass pitches, and it enables me to coach the kids, which is hugely rewarding for me. It’s actually really comfortable to drive and very capable with a top speed of 8mph, which means it can handle some pretty tough terrain. My scooter also has a 14-mile range, so it easily lasts the whole day without me needing to recharge it. Being able to support my kids in this way whilst also allowing me to continue a love of the game, really means a lot. It’s genuinely given me a new lease of life and the independence to do so much more than I could have imagined,” he said.
Phil Quinlan, a 49-year-old father of two from Navan, Ireland, has had a remarkable journey since suffering a catastrophic brain injury at the age of 15. Following a coma and a life-saving operation, Phil was left paralysed down one side but refused to let his disability restrict his independence.
Phil recently travelled with his family to Center Parcs in Longford Forest, in the Republic of Ireland, equipped with his folding mobility scooter. Adapted lodges at the resort are designed with accessibility in mind, coming supplied with dedicated disabled parking nearby, ramps to help with access to accommodation, lowered countertops and handrails throughout the properties. The village public areas also provide ramped entrances and walkways for ease of access.
Phil commented: “Compared to previous scooters I’ve owned, it’s so compact, I take my eFOLDi scooter with me everywhere I go, and it still leaves me plenty of room for my luggage. When we arrive, it only takes a moment to unfold my scooter and off we go. It’s very easy to use and surprisingly lightweight, so it’s not too much trouble to get in and out of the boot.”
The device has enabled him to do activities he wouldn’t have been able to do before, such as coaching his kid’s football team, as well as giving him the freedom to explore with his family.
Speaking about the impact his scooter has had on his life, Phil said: “Having the freedom to do all the things I want to do, without any real hassle or worry is very important to me. It’s little things like that help me feel closer to my family, and it makes all the difference. It’s genuinely given me a new lease of life and the independence to do so much more than I could have imagined.”
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.