I just don't think it's a good use of OP's time - effectively developing and maintaining software for 1 user.
One main benefit of software/computers/the internet is that work done by one person can benefit millions - thats what sets us apart from cavemen who had to do everything for themselves, and got a worse quality of life as a result.
This bogus assumption is the whole problem with the "upstream or nothing" attitude.
You're letting a single project -- and usually a single individual -- be the gatekeeper between you and the entire remainder of humanity. That is stupid.
Offering changes back to upstream is always encouraged, but whether or not it is accepted is largely irrelevant to the patch author.