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!! 

Christmas Concert Fundraiser

It's that time of year for my annual live-streaming concert!!

Make sure to head to My Musical Life for all the details!

THIS SATURDAY starting at 3pm MST.

Although this is a completely free online concert, I will be accepting donations for two charities as well as tips for me should anyone donate tips. This year I have chosen two charities to benefit from donations made through the above website.
Crohn's Colitis Canada
Crisis Centres Canada

I am planning on making this concert an annual event and I will be choosing one or two different charities per year. I am hoping that each year I will select one charity that is close to my heart as well as another charity for something that which I have never experienced myself. With these concerts and fundraisers, I hope to not only raise funds for a worthy cause, but to also enlighten people about the various illnesses and complications that many people experience.

I have been moderately involved with Crohn's Colitis Canada for 18 years now. I began going on the Gutsy Walk each year after I was diagnosed first with Ulcerative Colitis, then with Crohn's Disease. I have attended the galas and the casino nights for several years now (often singing for the event), and I have even participated in some conferences. I was recently looking through old childhood bins and found pictures of being at Camp Horizon for a summer camp. I also presented and spoke in front of patients and physicians and have been part of long-term studies.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease had long been my driving force in the chronic illness community.

I chose Crisis Centres/Crisis Services to be the second recipient primarily because of the time of year. While many people experience the joy and love of family, food, and holiday parties, those who are lonely, depressed, grieving, or are simply struggling, tend to have a particularly troubling few months this time of year. Call centres for those who experience severe depression and other services that provide meaningful help to those who are having such a rough time are always in desperate need of help. Whether they need more volunteers, more funds to help them run these programs, or even just a little bit of exposure, please consider this umbrella group of organizations in your next charitable donation. With the rise in complicated mental illnesses, chronic illness, and the decline in available resources, it is more important now than ever that we ensure a safe place for people to call during some of the most difficult months of the year.

Again, the concert is this coming Saturday. It is an easy way to spend the day getting into the spirit of Christmas with some live music - from my own home to yours.