Braving 'General Admission'

Concerts are often a little intimidating for me since my mobility began to diminish. At first with stairs being so difficult, then using my cane or walker, now using a wheelchair for large events, concerts can be relatively inaccessible. 

I had not been to a 'general admission' concert in ages - actually I'm pretty sure I have only been to one - until last night. 

I had the opportunity to see Our Lady Peace in concert. 

I have waited several years for them to come here and the tickets to be somewhat affordable - and last night was my chance. 

My adoring husband went to check out the venue the day before. It was basically one huge room that used to be booked for trade shows. Concrete floors, a couple of bars set up, and some benches waaaaay at the back. It was clear I would be using my wheelchair - even just to get across the lot into the venue itself - but then when we saw that there were virtually no seats, I was glad I had brought the wheelchair. I would not have been able to be there without it. 

We got to a nearby restaurant 2 hours prior, and were in line 1 hour before the concert started (I wanted to be as close to the stage as possible). Luckily, it was fairly quiet. There was a group of maybe 10 of us who were determined to get front-row views, with the remainder of the main audience area empty. The barrier at the front was a little high, and I was expecting a packed show, so I didn't feel appropriate taking up the most prime spot. We (my brother and my husband were with me) moved over to the side - the barrier there was a little shorter and I was away from the primary spots. 

I thoroughly enjoyed myself. 

There were, of course, a few issues. People tend to forget that a wheelchair is an extension of the human being sitting in it. My brother & my husband constantly had to run a little subtle interference because people kept hitting me or leaning on my chair, kicking it, or even moving it (mostly on accident - beer and excitement can do that). That only slightly bothered me - more because I was worried someone would fall on me, spill all over me, or that someone could wind up injured. What bothered me more was a bit of attitude from a select few people who kept looking at me as though I didn't belong there. That if I cannot stand to enjoy a concert, I should sit way at the back so that other people, able people, could enjoy themselves. 

I understand it to a point. I get that my chair takes up potentially two people (even though it is a small wheelchair). I get that it is bulky. 

But I paid the same amount for my ticket. I received no special treatment - we simply arrived early, like many others. There was no designated handicap zone, so I had nowhere else I was 'supposed' to be, and I'm still a human being who wants to enjoy a concert from one of my all-time favourite bands. 

On the upside - those people were few and far between. Most people were incredible. There was this kind lady right next to me that kept checking to make sure I could see, who told a girl to be careful because she was trying to squeeze past me (and then blocked her from doing so). There was this entire group of people who seemed to be aware and understanding. My line of sight was rarely obstructed, and if it was, it was always by accident. There were also several people who accidentally ran into me and apologized immediately, who I then made friends with as we bonded over shoes, football, and hair haha.

Plus - when a concert gets that packed, it's useful to have this bubble-block around me. And brakes. I was parked. 

It also meant that I could not fathom trying to go to the washroom at any point during the concert... which is a bit difficult when I also have Crohn's Disease ... but I made it until the very end! 

Would I brave another general admission concert - daring to park my wheelchair in a prime spot again? For a band/artist I absolutely love, yes!! 

If it's an artist I just enjoy listening to, or someone I have seen before, I would likely choose to sit further back, a ways away from the danger of getting hurt, as my nerves had me a touch distracted, but I loved every moment of Our Lady Peace. 

Just because people are disabled does not mean that they can't do 'normal' things. I mean, one of the only reasons I don't do a lot more is because of inaccessibility to venues - not because I feel out of place. I am also very happy to say that a woman with vision issues brought a stool and parked herself by us as well. 

I hear all the time about people wanting those who are disabled to participate more - trust me, we are trying! We are there and we are loving these incredible events, despite a little awkwardness. 

I am so grateful to my brother and my husband. Thank you!!