Does anyone know of any disabled session goers, or are yourself?
How do they work the setting, especially in the *traditional small pub*?
What problems have been experienced?
I'll add more at a later stage but I don't want to channel any comments..
We don't have anyone wheelchair bound at our local session, but we do have what seems like more than our share of physical disabilities. Several people with serious arthritis (rheumatoid and osteo), one person with a prosthetic leg, and some with hearing loss (a reall bummer for a musician!).
I've also played music with people who have developmental disabilities, and the important thing there is to match everyone's expectations to the abilities of the group. Also, to *not* make uninformed assumptions about those abilities.
As for "problems" with any kind of disability, I guess I'd characterize them more as challenges that we all worked together to overcome. We make sure that people have a comfortable, appropriate seat available to them, and there's always an extra hand to help carry instruments or open doors, that sort of thing. Sometimes we slow our pace or shift to songs if those arthritic hands are acting up. But it's never felt like the session somehow was worse off because of it--quite the contrary. I'd say it's brought people closer together and made the music more meaningful.
My father is an avid musician that has been wheelchair bound for about 15 years. He hasn't played much in pubs, but has performed here and there. To my knowledge his disability is a non-issue. People are always more than willing to help him onto stage, kick wires out of his way, or whatever the case may be. Of course he always has a positive outlook on most everything and is not easily offended.
Will - "I guess I'd characterize them more as challenges that we all worked together to overcome"
That's about it. Although, it hasn't proved as much a deal.
My father is mostly wheelchair bound and as a guitarist needs that little bit more elbow room =)
I found that people are helpful without making allowances so much as to seem patronising. I know some people will disagree with the patronising thing, but it can be an issue, especially in the session environment where we *compete* as equals. (compete also wrong, i know) =]
Just like to know how other people's experiences are.
Will and Troy - good to know it's a positive thing.
I was fortunate enough to meet and hear the late Denis O'Brien at a few private sessions in Mullagh many years ago. Denis, despite suffering from spina bifida and being confined to a wheelchair was one of the greatest whistle players I've met as well as being full of craic. It was a privilege to meet him. Anyone who loves the music and the craic is or should be a welcome addition to any gathering.
Although I don't have a physical or long term disability or even something that most people would consider a disability -having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome does disable me. I haven't been able to go to sessions for ages but went to one at the end of last year and was blown away by the open-heartedness and general warmth from all the other musicians. They made a point of playing tunes i knew at the beginning because they knew i wouldn't be able to stay long and played a little slower so i could keep up. In my experience most musicians just want to have fun and play music and will try and get as many people involved as possible.
Fraser, I'm glad you had such a positive experience! When going to a new session or one I haven't been to in a while, I am always nervous and kind of shy. Almost always, my experience is similar to yours. I often have to take public trans. and leave a session early as well (not a physical disability than god, but definitely a pain in the butt sometimes.)
Andee - oh, i was nervous and shy but not for long (my vibrato was very good that night cause i was shaking so much! It helped that everyone in the session were old friends too.
Disability and sessions
Disability and sessions
I'll have to leave this question very open-ended.
Does anyone know of any disabled session goers, or are yourself?
How do they work the setting, especially in the *traditional small pub*?
What problems have been experienced?
I'll add more at a later stage but I don't want to channel any comments..
# Posted on January 10th 2003 by Caitriona
Re: Disability and sessions
We don't have anyone wheelchair bound at our local session, but we do have what seems like more than our share of physical disabilities. Several people with serious arthritis (rheumatoid and osteo), one person with a prosthetic leg, and some with hearing loss (a reall bummer for a musician!).
I've also played music with people who have developmental disabilities, and the important thing there is to match everyone's expectations to the abilities of the group. Also, to *not* make uninformed assumptions about those abilities.
As for "problems" with any kind of disability, I guess I'd characterize them more as challenges that we all worked together to overcome. We make sure that people have a comfortable, appropriate seat available to them, and there's always an extra hand to help carry instruments or open doors, that sort of thing. Sometimes we slow our pace or shift to songs if those arthritic hands are acting up. But it's never felt like the session somehow was worse off because of it--quite the contrary. I'd say it's brought people closer together and made the music more meaningful.
# Posted on January 10th 2003 by Will Harmon
Re: Disability and sessions
My father is an avid musician that has been wheelchair bound for about 15 years. He hasn't played much in pubs, but has performed here and there. To my knowledge his disability is a non-issue. People are always more than willing to help him onto stage, kick wires out of his way, or whatever the case may be. Of course he always has a positive outlook on most everything and is not easily offended.
-Troy
# Posted on January 10th 2003 by RTP
Re: Disability and sessions
Will - "I guess I'd characterize them more as challenges that we all worked together to overcome"
That's about it. Although, it hasn't proved as much a deal.
My father is mostly wheelchair bound and as a guitarist needs that little bit more elbow room =)
I found that people are helpful without making allowances so much as to seem patronising. I know some people will disagree with the patronising thing, but it can be an issue, especially in the session environment where we *compete* as equals. (compete also wrong, i know) =]
Just like to know how other people's experiences are.
Will and Troy - good to know it's a positive thing.
~Cait
# Posted on January 10th 2003 by Caitriona
Re: Disability and sessions
I was fortunate enough to meet and hear the late Denis O'Brien at a few private sessions in Mullagh many years ago. Denis, despite suffering from spina bifida and being confined to a wheelchair was one of the greatest whistle players I've met as well as being full of craic. It was a privilege to meet him. Anyone who loves the music and the craic is or should be a welcome addition to any gathering.
# Posted on January 10th 2003 by milesnagopaleen
Re: Disability and sessions
Although I don't have a physical or long term disability or even something that most people would consider a disability -having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome does disable me. I haven't been able to go to sessions for ages but went to one at the end of last year and was blown away by the open-heartedness and general warmth from all the other musicians. They made a point of playing tunes i knew at the beginning because they knew i wouldn't be able to stay long and played a little slower so i could keep up. In my experience most musicians just want to have fun and play music and will try and get as many people involved as possible.
# Posted on January 13th 2003 by fiddlefeet
Re: Disability and sessions
Fraser, I'm glad you had such a positive experience! When going to a new session or one I haven't been to in a while, I am always nervous and kind of shy. Almost always, my experience is similar to yours. I often have to take public trans. and leave a session early as well (not a physical disability than god, but definitely a pain in the butt sometimes.)
# Posted on January 13th 2003 by Andee
Re: Disability and sessions
Andee - oh, i was nervous and shy but not for long (my vibrato was very good that night cause i was shaking so much!
It helped that everyone in the session were old friends too.
# Posted on January 14th 2003 by fiddlefeet