Bassists with disabilities

[Craig Orndorff]

Anybody else out there with a medical condition/disability they’d like to chat about? I’m not what most people would look at and say “he’s disabled.” However, I do have a number of conditions that effect my bass playing abilities. I have a mild case of narcolepsy (which is kept under control with medication) and peripheral neuropathy, which is a result of treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in my early 20s. I also have a vertebrae that is out of alignment due to the healing of a fracture after a car accident, so movement is difficult (I generally sit when playing). On the mental health front, I have anxiety and have been described my many a psychologist as “spectrumy” (IE on the autism spectrum). All this has created issues with self-medication/substance abuse that’s kinda complicated.

Who wants to connect?

 

[LastJaguar]

More than I care to say. Lack of talent is my most obvious.

 

[hbarcat]

. . . I do have a number of conditions that effect my bass playing abilities.

I have a mild case of narcolepsy (which is kept under control with medication) and peripheral neuropathy . . .

. . . movement is difficult (I generally sit when playing.

I have anxiety . . .

All this has created issues with self-medication/substance abuse . . .

Wow. Amazingly similar to my conditions.

PM sent.

 

[KohanMike]

Physically I'm right there with you. In 1973 when I was 23, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease, lymph cancer. At that time they only used radiation treatments, and they blasted me with it. Over the years, the negative effects keep happening. First, it killed my thyroid and I've been on replacement ever since. It also killed all the hair follicles on the back of my neck. In the mid eighties it was discovered that the pain I was getting in my neck and shoulders was because the radiation damaged the nerves in and around my neck and spinal cord, which prevents the muscles around there from developing, to where in the last few years I can't hold up my head very well.

In the mid 90s, I got chest pains when I exerted myself, they found the coronary arteries that surround the heart were damaged by the radiation and scar tissue was causing excessive plaque buildup, so in 1996 I had open heart surgery to by-pass five arteries. in 2002 I was diagnosed with bladder cancer, which was also attributed to the radiation, but it was in the very early stages and it was cured.

In 2013 it was discovered that the radiation damaged my left and right carotid arteries in my neck and had stents put in both. A few months later they found that three of the heart by-pass grafts had closed and a fourth needed a stent, only two function now, which limits how much I can exert myself. in 2018, they found that two of the valves in my heart were damaged by the radiation and I had open heart surgery again to replace those. Plus while in the hospital, they found I needed a pacemaker and installed that. In preparation for the heart surgery, they accidentally left me on a saline I.V. for 10 hours, which bloated me and left me with high blood pressure and edema, having to take more medication.

In 2020, they found Squamous skin cancer on both sides of my neck caused by the radiation, which was thoroughly removed. In addition, in 2013, I finally had my right hip replaced from a car accident I had in 1977.

I too play sitting in a chair, and I can't carry my gear, so I use one of those old lady shopping carts to move it around, even setting it in front of me during a gig with mounts for my iPad and bass. My mental health is not adversely affected. I tend to be optimistic and positive and don't let any of the ailments hold me back, within reason. I know that attitude got me through all of it. I don't wallow in the circumstances, I move forward and enjoy myself as much as possible.

 

[eldoryder]

Holy *&^% guys! I am the parent of an adult child with multiple birth disabilities, (which is my real lifelong job) but outside of multiple spine and neck operations cannot even imagine what you guys have to deal with. I have to pace myself doing anything physical, but I am able to fulfill my day-to-day obligations with the use of medication. At my present lack of skill on the bass, coupled with being 67 years old I will not have to worry about gigging, at least! Kudos, kohanmike for having a great attitude about your condition. You guys rock.

 

[Craig Orndorff]

Physically I'm right there with you. In 1973 when I was 23, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease, lymph cancer. At that time they only used radiation treatments, and they blasted me with it. Over the years, the negative effects keep happening. First, it killed my thyroid and I've been on replacement ever since. It also killed all the hair follicles on the back of my neck. In the mid eighties it was discovered that the pain I was getting in my neck and shoulders was because the radiation damaged the nerves in and around my neck and spinal cord, which prevents the muscles around there from developing, to where in the last few years I can't hold up my head very well.

In the mid 90s, I got chest pains when I exerted myself, they found the coronary arteries that surround the heart were damaged by the radiation and scar tissue was causing excessive plaque buildup, so in 1996 I had open heart surgery to by-pass five arteries. in 2002 I was diagnosed with bladder cancer, which was also attributed to the radiation, but it was in the very early stages and it was cured.

In 2013 it was discovered that the radiation damaged my left and right carotid arteries in my neck and had stents put in both. A few months later they found that three of the heart by-pass grafts had closed and a fourth needed a stent, only two function now, which limits how much I can exert myself. in 2018, they found that two of the valves in my heart were damaged by the radiation and I had open heart surgery again to replace those. Plus while in the hospital, they found I needed a pacemaker and installed that. In preparation for the heart surgery, they accidentally left me on a saline I.V. for 10 hours, which bloated me and left me with high blood pressure and edema, having to take more medication.

In 2020, they found Squamous skin cancer on both sides of my neck caused by the radiation, which was thoroughly removed. In addition, in 2013, I finally had my right hip replaced from a car accident I had in 1977.

I too play sitting in a chair, and I can't carry my gear, so I use one of those old lady shopping carts to move it around, even setting it in front of me during a gig with mounts for my iPad and bass. My mental health is not adversely affected. I tend to be optimistic and positive and don't let any of the ailments hold me back, within reason. I know that attitude got me through all of it. I don't wallow in the circumstances, I move forward and enjoy myself as much as possible.

Man, you are a survivor! HL here too. But you got it in a time when chemo was much more underdeveloped and the odds much, much worse. Good on you. I had the ABVD protocol, which has taken 5 year rates to about 90%. But there still hasn’t been a lot done with long term survivorship. That’s where my PN comes from, the chemo.

I’m fortunate enough that I can still move my equipment myself, though I do sometimes enlist a student when we are moving stuff for the faculty band. I wish I had your sunny disposition. I like to think it would be easier if just one part of my body hurt. But I get flashes and tingles all over, even though most last under 30 seconds. It’s just maddening to keep up with and almost impossible to control.

But I like to think that through it all, the music kept me going.

 

[stuntbass77]

Chronic migraine, fibromyalgia, Trigeminal neuralgia, as well as a form of colitis that’s in remission. Life isn’t easy but still worth liven !!!! Sending up prayers for ya !

 

[stuntbass77]

To be clear I don’t have it as bad as some of you, you guys are amazing !!!

 

[el jeffe bass]

Secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Playing seated is my only option.

 

[KohanMike]

...as well as a form of colitis that’s in remission. Life isn’t easy but still worth liven !!!! Sending up prayers for ya !

My identical twin brother had a fairly severe form of colitis, and I actually had a more mild form. He had to take Azulfidine for years for blistering in his lower intestines, I had small blisters in the back of my throat and heartburn often. I discovered that it was from cows milk when I decided to lose weight. I cut out all milk based items; butter, cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and scoured packaged items for milk ingredients, and I bought a milk substitute. After about a 10 days or so, the heartburn and blisters on the back of my throat stopped. On the back of the carton was, "Recommended by the Ileitis and Colitis Foundation."

That's when i actually realized that I had a mild case of colitis. I immediately called my brother, but he was hesitant, saying that his doctor has a plaque on his wall, Fellow Member of the Ileitis and Colitis Foundation, but never mentioned a thing about milk for the years he's been treated. It took a little convincing, but my brother stopped all milk items.

After about two weeks, his colitis symptoms stopped, no more pain, no more carrying toilet paper for the sudden need to go. He made an appointment with his doctor and told him the story. The doctor's reply was that it's coincidence, and said to do another exam, for another $500 (he must have done 10 of those to my brother over the years). Needless to say, he dumped that doctor and after 25 years, has not had a hint of colitis.

 

[stuntbass77]

My identical twin brother had a fairly severe form of colitis, and I actually had a more mild form. He had to take Azulfidine for years for blistering in his lower intestines, I had small blisters in the back of my throat and heartburn often. I discovered that it was from cows milk when I decided to lose weight. I cut out all milk based items; butter, cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and scoured packaged items for milk ingredients, and I bought a milk substitute. After about a 10 days or so, the heartburn and blisters on the back of my throat stopped. On the back of the carton was, "Recommended by the Ileitis and Colitis Foundation."

That's when i actually realized that I had a mild case of colitis. I immediately called my brother, but he was hesitant, saying that his doctor has a plaque on his wall, Fellow Member of the Ileitis and Colitis Foundation, but never mentioned a thing about milk for the years he's been treated. It took a little convincing, but my brother stopped all milk items.

After about two weeks, his colitis symptoms stopped, no more pain, no more carrying toilet paper for the sudden need to go. He made an appointment with his doctor and told him the story. The doctor's reply was that it's coincidence, and said to do another exam, for another $500 (he must have done 10 of those to my brother over the years). Needless to say, he dumped that doctor and after 25 years, has not had a hint of colitis.

Glad you both are ok now. Don’t get me started with doctor’s!!! Almost died because a doctor would not do a endoscopy. I came hole from a 2 day motorcycle trip and woke up the next morning throw up blood ( from an ulcer ). A week in the hospital and two bags of blood. After that I still had to to take iron and it took a long time before I felt I had all my strength back. I was crazy healthy in my teens and ran as well as weight training. It all started in my twenties for the most part ( except for headaches ). I can’t tell people enough to get “3” opinions not just 2. Most won’t listen but when I was very young I didn’t either. Ones life should not be up to just one doctor. Listen to your body and always get several opinions but you know that I’m sure. They are not all quacks but some just think they know every diagnosis!!!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Anybody else out there with a medical condition/disability they’d like to chat about? I’m not what most people would look at and say “he’s disabled.” However, I do have a number of conditions that effect my bass playing abilities. I have a mild case of narcolepsy (which is kept under control with medication) and peripheral neuropathy, which is a result of treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in my early 20s. I also have a vertebrae that is out of alignment due to the healing of a fracture after a car accident, so movement is difficult (I generally sit when playing). On the mental health front, I have anxiety and have been described my many a psychologist as “spectrumy” (IE on the autism spectrum). All this has created issues with self-medication/substance abuse that’s kinda complicated.

Who wants to connect?

I'm aurtistic. My 5 year old is too. Actually, we are both genealogical anomalies. My son and I have a certain gene in our DNA strand that does absolutely nothing. UCLA has been searching for 2 years now, and cannot find a single other case where the same gene is acting the same. They say that normally when there is disfunction there, that particular gene is working in overdrive. Which causes a number of different disorders. There is not one other case in medical history where it is dead. Except for my son and I.

High five

 

[monsterthompson]

I’ll jump in. Not literally.

A little over a decade ago, I broke my neck and crushed my spinal cord in a mountain bike accident. I was told I’d never voluntarily move any muscle below my neck, and that I’d need a ventilator to breathe for me for the rest of my life. I pushed through rehab and with a little bit of luck, I’m fairly mobile and most people have no clue I’m disabled. I’m technically tetraplegic but I behave more hemiplegic with limited coordination on my left side. As you might imagine, this makes bass playing a challenging hobby, but I’ve found ways to continue playing.

Another “fun” feature of my nerve damage is a hair trigger bladder, which I always worry about for live performances. If I’m mid-show and have to go, there’s no holding back. Fortunately, I’ve never had it be an actual problem at a gig. I can usually manage my fluid intake to compensate, though that has issues too.

Lots of respect and support to those of you with imperfect meat-machines who find ways to keep moving forward.

 

[Iristone]

Physical: chronic hay fever. Doesn't really affect my playing, especially with the help of facial masks.
Mental: I used to suffer from major depressive disorder back when I decided to learn how to play the bass guitar. Thankfully I'm fully recovered now thanks to medical prescriptions, and the mental support from my parents.

 

[KohanMike]

Another “fun” feature of my nerve damage is a hair trigger bladder, which I always worry about for live performances. If I’m mid-show and have to go, there’s no holding back. Fortunately, I’ve never had it be an actual problem at a gig. I can usually manage my fluid intake to compensate, though that has issues too.

In the last year or so I started to have incontinence overnight (neglected to mention that in my long history). I started using the small absorption pads, but recently I found they weren't enough. I now wear incontinence underwear at night and I have to say they work very well, absorbs everything without being wet. You might want to try that for gigs.

 

[monsterthompson]

In the last year or so i started to have incontinence overnight (neglected to mention that in my long history). I started using the small absorption pads, but recently I found they weren't enough. I now wear incontinence underwear at night and I have to say they work very well, absorbs everything without being wet. You might want to try that for gigs.

I’ve used the pads before and had decent results. The “fortunate” part of my condition is that my bladder generally can’t get too full, which sorta limits how big a problem it can be. I get what you’re driving at though. At some point you sometimes have to get over “embarrassment” and use the tools that are available. As long as I don’t need to go back to using a catheter, I’ll be pretty happy.

 

[cassanova]

PTSD, depression, anxiety, arthritis, carpal tunnel.

 

[Riff Ranger]

I’ll have to get back to you, but I strongly suspect I am autistic. First clue was that I had no clue my oldest kid was autistic, because the way she thinks doesn’t seem so unusual to me

 

[Dave TB Killer]

Legally blind, Glaucoma. Major depression, not on meds anymore. Mild form of tourette syndrome, never properly diagnosed.
So, yea I got some issues that make for some less than common philosophical and behavioral norms.

 

[el jeffe bass]

My MS has been progressing a lot lately. I can still walk but it has become more difficult and exhausting, I also fall fairly regularly as I am dizzy and unstable. I bought a travel mobility scooter a few weeks ago and just got my first powered wheelchair on Monday. The scooter is great for going to the grocery store, Costco and travel. I plan to use the wheelchair around the house and going for “walks” in my neighborhood. The wheelchairs cost was astronomical, thank God for good health insurance, I only had to pay $10.00 usd out of pocket. I don’t know what people do without good insurance.