A Backpack With a Particular Set of Skills

Today, I went to Costco to get a new backpack.

Full transparency: I also picked up some Harry’s razors to try—and some underwear. I know, TMI.

I have a habit of collecting backpacks, among other things. It’s my addictive personality manifesting itself. This time, however, I needed a backpack with “a particular set of skills.”

This backpack will be my dialysis bag.

I prefer a backpack because it keeps my hands free—or at least one hand, since I use the other to hold a cane when I walk. It’s a simple thing, but having everything comfortably on my back makes getting around much easier.

My dialysis backpack needs a compartment large enough to hold two small blankets because the treatment room can get very cold. It also has to fit a neck pillow and a Bluetooth headset sleep mask, which is essential for helping me sleep during treatment and making the time pass faster.

Then there are the practical necessities: water, snacks in case my blood sugar gets low, a pocket for papers, and room for all the other ancillary stuff that comes with treatment.

Some folks arrive with several enormous reusable grocery bags. Others bring carry-on suitcases. One lady brings a collapsible wagon loaded with all kinds of supplies.

When I travel, I’m notorious for packing too much. But for dialysis, I like to keep things light, organized, and ready in the car.

I get it done with a backpack—one that has a very particular set of skills.

Handicap Parking: It’s Not a Suggestion, It’s a Necessity

This morning I arrived at the hospital to visit my mom. Like many mornings recently, it’s another chapter of balancing life, family, dialysis, and everything else that comes with it.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I started looking for a handicap-accessible parking spot. I have a handicap plate. Not because it’s convenient. Not because I want a closer walk.

I have one because I’m an above-the-knee amputee and I live with ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease). Some days the extra distance isn’t just a few more steps — it’s a lot more energy, more strain, and more effort.

There were no handicap spots available.

Then I noticed something.

Apparently, when the designated spots are full, someone decided the solution was simple: create their own spot.

A spot that wasn’t actually a parking spot.

Maybe they were in a hurry. Maybe they had a reason. Maybe they thought, “I’ll only be a minute.”

But here’s the thing — hospitals are one of the places where accessibility matters the most. People coming through those doors may be dealing with challenges you can see and many you can’t.

The lines, signs, and designated spaces aren’t there for decoration. They exist because someone may be walking on a prosthetic leg. Someone may be recovering from treatment. Someone may be helping a loved one while fighting their own battle.

I don’t expect special treatment. I expect people to think beyond themselves.

A little awareness and consideration go a long way.

Because one day, the spot you think doesn’t matter may be the spot you truly need.

Life Happens… Vegas Will Have to Wait

Earlier this week, what started as a normal Tuesday quickly turned into a family crisis involving my mother. It was one of those moments where priorities become crystal clear in an instant.

There were decisions that had to be made, questions that needed answering, and someone needed to be her advocate. My mother was confused and, because English isn’t her strongest language, communicating with doctors and fully understanding what was happening became even more challenging. I spent the night at the hospital, then headed straight to dialysis the following morning without ever making it home.

As exhausting as it was, there wasn’t another option. Family comes first.

Unfortunately, that also meant making another difficult decision—canceling my trip to Las Vegas.

I was incredibly excited to spend time with my amazing children, hear about school, laugh at their stories, and just enjoy being Dad for a few days. Those moments become more valuable every year, and missing them hurts.

I was also looking forward to attending CCW, hearing about innovation, learning best practices, and connecting with leaders from across the customer experience industry. It’s always energizing to be around people who are passionate about improving the customer journey and sharing new ideas.

But sometimes life tells me that my place is somewhere else.

So, I pivot.

That’s something life has taught me over the past few years. Whether it’s losing a leg, sitting in dialysis three days a week, navigating health challenges, or unexpected family emergencies, I adapt, adjust, and keep moving forward.

Vegas isn’t going anywhere.

CCW will come around again.

Hopefully my children understand that Dad wanted to be there, and hopefully my mother continues to improve.

And for those of you who have been following my ongoing commentary about Nextdoor… don’t worry. I hope someone from Nextdoor still makes it to CCW, picks up Natalie Beckerman’s book When Did You Stop Caring?, and saves us all from the in-person confrontation my followers have apparently been waiting for. I suppose what happens in Vegas should probably stay in Vegas anyway!

For now, my place is exactly where I need to be.

Sometimes the greatest trip I can take is simply showing up for the people who need you most.

📬 What You May Have Missed This Week on NielFlamm.com (June 6-13)

Hello Friends!

Another week has come and gone, which means I somehow managed to produce another collection of blogs, movie reviews, videos, LinkedIn posts, opinions, and assorted Internet Garbage.

If life got busy, here's your weekly recap of everything that happened on NielFlamm.com between June 6 and June 13.

🎬 Movie Reviews

It was another busy week at the theater.

I reviewed Pressure, the fascinating true story about the meteorologists whose weather forecast helped make D-Day possible. It was less about the battle itself and more about the pressure of making decisions that would affect thousands of lives.

I also reviewed Scary Movie 6, where Marlon and Shawn Wayans return with exactly the type of over-the-top parody humor that made the franchise famous. If you're easily offended, it probably isn't for you. If you enjoy ridiculous comedy, you'll probably laugh the entire time.

Finally, I shared my thoughts on Eternity, a movie that explores relationships, death, and the afterlife while asking some interesting questions about love and forever.

If you're trying to decide what to watch, hopefully my reviews save you a little time and money.

🌎 NielFlamm.com Continues to Grow

One of the biggest surprises this week came from looking at my website analytics.

During the past month, more than 800 unique visitors generated over 1,000 page views, with readers coming from all over the world. The largest audiences are currently in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Germany.

When I started this hobby, I honestly thought only friends and family would stop by.

Seeing people I've never met visiting the site is both humbling and motivating, and I appreciate every single visit.

🎥 Videos, Blogs & Other Internet Garbage

There was plenty of content outside of movie reviews this week.

I shared my thoughts on celebrity sports fans and carpetbaggers, those people who somehow become lifelong fans the minute a team starts winning championships while the real fans have been suffering through decades of heartbreak.

I also posted another handicap parking adventure, featuring a driver who apparently believes parking lines are merely suggestions despite having an entire parking lot available.

I shared my appreciation for the growing international audience that continues to find NielFlamm.com, thanking readers around the world for spending time with my content and encouraging them to reach out with suggestions on how I can continue improving.

The website continues to fill up with blogs, videos, podcasts, health updates, technology discussions, humor, random observations, and whatever else happens to cross my mind during the week.

💼 Leadership, AI & Nextdoor Commentary

My ongoing commentary surrounding Nextdoor leadership and corporate communication continued throughout the week.

I discussed Nirav Tolia's comments surrounding artificial intelligence, pointing out that AI has existed in many forms for decades through predictive dialers, automation tools, instructional design software, Grammarly, and other technologies many of us have worked with throughout our careers.

I also examined Nextdoor's moderation model, asking what protections exist to prevent moderator retaliation and whether enough transparency exists when volunteer moderators are making decisions that affect neighbors and local conversations.

Another article compared Nextdoor's constantly shifting messaging to companies like Waffle House and In-N-Out Burger, organizations that have built loyal customer bases through consistency, simplicity, and delivering on a straightforward promise.

I also shared my thoughts on Nirav Tolia's appearance on the New Economies podcast, questioning whether the company is truly listening to user feedback while discussing AI, neighborhood data, and community engagement.

As both a shareholder and former user, I continue to believe transparency, consistency, and accountability are critical ingredients for long-term success.

❤️ Recovery & Life

This week I reflected on celebrating 17 years without a drink and the gratitude I have for everyone who reached out with comments, texts, messages, and encouragement.

The AA chip I picked up wasn't just for me—it serves as a reminder to newcomers that long-term recovery is possible, one day at a time.

Humor, gratitude, and community continue to be some of the greatest gifts of sobriety.

👉 Catch Up!

If you missed anything this week, stop by NielFlamm.com and catch up on the latest blogs, videos, podcasts, movie reviews, opinion pieces, and all the other Internet Garbage I've been creating.

And if you enjoy what you read or watch, please forward this email to a friend and encourage them to subscribe.

Don't gatekeep the Internet Garbage.

Thanks for reading, supporting the site, and following along on this crazy journey.

See you next week!

— Niel