Advice for the handicapped

[flint]

So- for the last 8 (LONG) weeks I've been laid up due to a busted leg.* During this time I have been away from the bass because I have had to keep my leg elevated, not to mention that I was in WAY too much pain to really think about the upright. Although I will admit that I toyed with the slab just so I could take advantage of making music while under the influence of opiates (kinda reminded me of highschool!).

anyway, I am now able to play the upright, but have yet to try trasnporting it. Anyone have any experience with being crippled, and having to transport a DB? Am I best to rely on the good will and aid of my wife, bandmates, and section members? I've got a gig with a couple of new guys this weekend, and I hate to start off the relationship by asking them to help me load out-I mean, I'm not a DRUMMER!








*syndismotic fusion of the distal fibia and tibia.

[fingers]

I had very major surgery a few years back. After I was physically able to do gigs again (2 months or so) I still had restrictions on the amount of weight I was allowed to lift for another 3 months after that. Before the surgery I was a triathelete and distance cyclist. Having to rely on others for physical stuff was not easy but was the only way.

[mlowe]

There's a guy on youtube playing bass who has one hand. He uses his left hand only and is very good. I guess it's very difficult to understand the additional challenges people with disabilities have but given the achievements they make me wonder if it doesn't just show how complacent those of us who don't can be.

Might be good for everyone to tie an arm behind their back for a day and appreciate their fortunes.

[TroyK]

You might consider an Electric Upright Bass. I'm not an expert, but I've heard some very good sounding ones (and some very Fender P-Bass sounding ones). Check that forum or PM Francois who is a pretty good expert on them, I believe. I love the soul of big bodies and old wood, but when I see someone get on an airplane with a EUB slung over their shoulder like a flyrod, I get it.

Probably less of a good suggestion is a good wheel or the bass buggie that I just ordered from KC strings. I'm not used to it yet, but am getting there. I've got a few back and other old man problems and rolling when it's more than a block is helpful. What I like about the bass buggie is that it is on and off with no real effort and it weighs nothing, so lifting or carrying the bass upstairs when buggie adorned is no extra effort.

In either event, I'd invest in a micro small amp and all that comes with that. The AI combo or on a budget a WM10, depending on where you're playing and what you're doing. Learn all your music so you don't need a music stand or book!

And for God's Sakes, get back out there and lay it down, my friend! I can't think of anything with better healing properties than keeping the band going.

Troy

[jtlownds]

About 10 years ago, I had bypass surgery. They sliced me open from my crotch to my sternum. A month after the surgery, I was back on the bandstand. It was somewhat painful loading in, but I did it with no problems. At the end of the gig, a well meaning friend said "You shouldn't be lifting that stuff, let me help you". He promptly grabbed the neck with one hand, and the bridge with the other, and lifted. Cleaned the bridge right off of it. If you are offered help loading in or out, make sure that they know how to pick up a bass.

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by jtlownds

They sliced me open from my crotch to my sternum.

Jeezus.... I'm going to make a big bowl of oatmeal right now. Then I'm going to go ride my bike for an hour.

[Damon Rondeau]

Originally Posted by jtlownds

If you are offered help loading in or out, make sure that they know how to pick up a bass.

This is a really good point. There's another type of pal who really wouldn't mind helping but backs off from the bass because of its size and because he picks up vibes from the bassist along the lines of "nobody but me toucha da bass." That pal doesn't mind being asked, but he would really appreciate a lesson on how to wrangle the thing...

The leader of my group is real helpful but I don't know how many times I've showed him how to schlep the bass, he just doesn't get it. He wants to hold it out in front of him like a purse with a grenade in it.

[Johnny Crab]

Got my left leg tied into a pretzel and femur shoved through my hip socket at 16 years old(a LONG time ago). Thanks to that event, there are many "issues"(hip arthritis, etc) today....almost 40 years later. I get the license plates with the wheelchair....but I try not to believe them most of the time.

If you REALLY can't do it(move gear) and want to play, get help. It is much better to have your gear carried in(correctly of course) and be able to play(have fun, be happy, make music!)...than to ....be too proud. How much it sucks or "makes you feel uncomfortable" is really up to you. If my hip is screaming after a few aspirin or ibuprofens and someone offers me help carrying gear...it no longer bothers me. I completely avoided the vicodin/addictive painkiller routes after experiencing them in my teens AND watching sports figures and others almost wreck their lives for them.

I move gear but I know my limitations.
Handtrucks are my friends during load in/out...as are arms that spent 3+ years working crutches when I was younger.

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by Johnny Crab

Got my left leg tied into a pretzel and femur shoved through my hip socket at 16 years old(a LONG time ago). Thanks to that event, there are many "issues"(hip arthritis, etc) today....almost 40 years later. I get the license plates with the wheelchair....but I try not to believe them most of the time.

If you REALLY can't do it(move gear) and want to play, get help. It is much better to have your gear carried in(correctly of course) and be able to play(have fun, be happy, make music!)...than to ....be too proud. How much it sucks or "makes you feel uncomfortable" is really up to you. If my hip is screaming after a few aspirin or ibuprofens and someone offers me help carrying gear...it no longer bothers me. I completely avoided the vicodin/addictive painkiller routes after experiencing them in my teens AND watching sports figures and others almost wreck their lives for them.

I move gear but I know my limitations.
Handtrucks are my friends during load in/out...as are arms that spent 3+ years working crutches when I was younger.

Idont mean to be a thread jacker but I wouldnt mind hearing th back story on that one.

[Johnny Crab]

Originally Posted by Eli_Upright12

Idont mean to be a thread jacker but I wouldnt mind hearing th back story on that one.

OK.

1971. Riding a Honda 350 through an intersection. Pickup truck in oncoming lanes turns into my left leg---literally---while I'm going 35 mph. Leg takes the shape of his bumper, femur gets shoved through my hip socket into my chest cavity, and I get launched about 40 feet headfirst into the back of a U-turn lane guardrail where my BUCKLED HELMENT does it's job and suffers a 1-1/4" deep gash/canyon cut into it. 5 years later, enough x-rays to make me glow in the dark, and a few operations later...including one that left scar tissue on the lower shin area...I can walk without crutches and I can ride wheelies in wheelchairs for miles....
At that point I have a left leg 1.5 inches shorter(as measured by the Houston Oilers orthopedic surgeon in the 90's) than my right and a pin in my hip socket ball joint(the pelvis socket area had a chunk knocked out of it).

Mid 1990's.
Vertebrae 3-4-5 start getting mad for being slammed around for decades due to uneven leg length. After tossing $$ at chiropractic, ortho, etc and "their" ideas of a solution...the CURE is found by changing to nothing but Durashock boots/shoes and getting an inversion table for less than the price of a cheap bass. On "bad" back days, 15 minutes in this thing with 4 or more full inversions and my back is fine again. Profootball and military use this thing too. I've not been to any "medical professional" for back pain/problems since getting this. It is from the guy seen on HSN who developed it because of his back....try the inverted sit ups for a good stomach burner.



2007.
Most days are OK. Some days you need a decent toleration for pain(hip arthritis...it ain't never fixed like it was after it gets broke). Oh, that scar area. Whenever that shin gets slightly bumped into anything....you get a cut that takes years to heal. The current "wound" has been open for about 1 year. "They"(folks making the $$$ off of medical practices) want me to get either a skin graft or plastic surgery. Last time I went in a hospital...it gave me this problem scar(it's from an infection on the hospital's suture line done for a re-break operation....nice! Methodist Hospital, New Orleans East area). Was also told about "hip replacement". I asked the cost and how long do they last. NO WAY. I can buy a LOT of gear and pay children's colleges with that kind of $$$...plus have $$ left over for some aspirin.


So why worry about it?
Life's WAY too short to get screwed up over the hand you've been dealt.
It's also too short for bad equipment.

Work hard


and play hard!
1980's


and have fun doing both!
2007

[Eli_Upright12]

Sounds like youve really made the best out of something that could have really derailed some one. Congrats. Some how Ive never been injured worse than a stress fracture in my heel, even though I mountain bike, skateboard, ski, snowboard, play soccer, football and track. and of course hang around wiht a group of friends that is stupid beyond belief and gets me into reckless situations. Maybe Im just lucky.

[TroyK]

Originally Posted by Eli_Upright12

Maybe Im just lucky.

...or young. Don't jinx yourself.