This month, we’re celebrating longtime Wilderness Inquiry traveler and volunteer, Patrick McGuigan, who has been adventuring with us for 10 years.
Patrick holds a Master’s degree in Outdoor Education, and the outdoors has always been an important part of his life. After he was struck by a car and experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI), he wasn’t sure he could find the support he needed to keep exploring outside.
“I didn’t think camping was really possible because I needed a lot of backup,” he reflects. “So I thought this organization was started just for me!”
Rediscovering the Outdoors
Since discovering Wilderness Inquiry, Patrick has returned year after year to camp, paddle, and hike with our community. Our specialty yoga trips in the Apostle Islands have become some of his favorite experiences.
“Yoga’s good because it’s just you and the ground,” he says. “I love to just sit and appreciate all that is going on because there’s like a million different creatures in this one yard area you’re sitting in.”
Those quiet, grounded moments on the shore or in camp are part of what makes time outside so meaningful for Patrick. They’re also at the heart of Wilderness Inquiry’s mission: creating welcoming, accessible spaces where people of all abilities can connect with nature and one another.
“I love to just sit and appreciate all that is going on because there’s like a million different creatures in this one yard area you’re sitting in.” – Patrick McGuigan
Adaptive Gear, Grit, and Perspective
When you hike with Patrick on trail, you’ll see his adaptive equipment in action.
“I use two major walking sticks with [Wilderness Inquiry] because Mother Nature is not flat. She’s kind of a pain in the butt,” he jokes.
For Patrick, that visible effort is part of the experience—not just for him, but for others on the trail.
“But we’re people too,” he continues. “It’s good for people walking on a trail to see someone having to work three times as hard to do the same thing. I think that’s a good thing. Now they will appreciate all they have. Highlight those differences.”
Patrick’s presence and perspective help demonstrate that outdoor spaces belong to everyone, and that seeing different bodies and abilities on the trail can deepen empathy and appreciation.
“It’s good for people walking on a trail to see someone having to work three times as hard to do the same thing. I think that’s a good thing. Now they will appreciate all they have. Highlight those differences.” – Patrick McGuigan
Embracing Risk and New Adventures
Looking ahead, Patrick is excited to keep exploring new places with Wilderness Inquiry and to continue stretching his comfort zone in safe, supported ways.
“I like taking risks and that’s been something for me to do is calculate my risks,” he says. “A little bit of fear is a good thing, gets your blood pumping.”
Whether it’s paddling a new stretch of water, tackling a hike with his walking sticks, or trying a new yoga pose at camp, Patrick is committed to finding that balance between challenge and joy.
“A little bit of fear is a good thing, gets your blood pumping.” – Patrick McGuigan
Join Patrick on the Trail
Patrick’s story is one of many that show what’s possible when people with disabilities have access to inclusive, thoughtfully supported outdoor experiences.
If you or someone you know lives with a brain injury or other disability and wants to explore the outdoors, we’re here to help.
- Learn more about traveling with a disability
- Explore upcoming inclusive trips and specialty itineraries
- Reach out to our team to find the right adventure for your needs
Join us on the trail, on the water, or around the campfire. Like Patrick, you might discover new places, new perspectives, and new confidence along the way. Images by Ryan Brady and Kevin Sink