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Bassists with disabilities
- Thread starter Craig Orndorff
- Start date
I’m retired due to disability. One of the few benefits of retirement is having the time to play music.With all the bad crap I've read in this post, one thing remains true. We love to play and we don't give up. Good on all y'all! Play on!!
Robert Fripp always plays guitar while seated and he's had a pretty good career in spite of it. I've been using a stool onstage for the last 17 years, due to disabling injury, and no one in the audience or band has suggested (to me at least) that there's a problem with that. Amongst the band members, we refer to it as "the bloody stool."
Sooner or later I will have to use a stool. It’s usually easier to play standing for now, but I make a point of practicing seated as well, mostly to get more comfortable with it.
Fortunately it seems like the exercise routine I’ve gotten into is helping push that further into the future. I realized yesterday that I haven’t used my cane at home for a week or more. I’m really not the workout type, so it’s a lot of effort, but probably worth it for the mental health benefits alone.
I finally got to see yet another neurologist yesterday. I may or may not be one step closer to getting a successful referral to Mayo yet, although I did eventually get the doctor to commit to a diagnosis the University of Iowa has no specialist for.
That was after almost 5 minutes arguing with him about whether he was going involve the local neurologist I refuse to see again. After agreeing my previous neurologist’s diagnosis was, not just wrong, but actually ruled out conclusively, he countered with, “But, credentials!” No really. That was his entire argument.
For those of you who have never had to see a neurologist, it’s important to understand that they rarely lower themselves to involving non-neurologist MD’s in the diagnostic process. Patients are just expected to do what they’re told, without questioning the process or the specialist’s judgment. You’re definitely not supposed to know enough to call them out for their suspect interpretations of test results. It’s very embarrassing for them when they have to agree; probably much worse when there’s a student in the room to witness it.
I finally had to tell him that he was speaking to the head of my care team, which currently includes only one doctor, and that’s my family doctor. I haven’t actually talked to her about the referral, since my hope was to get a referral from the U of I, so that’s on the agenda for the next day or two.
It’s hard not to let it grind you down. Normally music is a refuge, but after a surreal and frustrating experience at an open jam on Sunday, I’m not really feeling it today.
That was after almost 5 minutes arguing with him about whether he was going involve the local neurologist I refuse to see again. After agreeing my previous neurologist’s diagnosis was, not just wrong, but actually ruled out conclusively, he countered with, “But, credentials!” No really. That was his entire argument.
For those of you who have never had to see a neurologist, it’s important to understand that they rarely lower themselves to involving non-neurologist MD’s in the diagnostic process. Patients are just expected to do what they’re told, without questioning the process or the specialist’s judgment. You’re definitely not supposed to know enough to call them out for their suspect interpretations of test results. It’s very embarrassing for them when they have to agree; probably much worse when there’s a student in the room to witness it.
I finally had to tell him that he was speaking to the head of my care team, which currently includes only one doctor, and that’s my family doctor. I haven’t actually talked to her about the referral, since my hope was to get a referral from the U of I, so that’s on the agenda for the next day or two.
It’s hard not to let it grind you down. Normally music is a refuge, but after a surreal and frustrating experience at an open jam on Sunday, I’m not really feeling it today.
It's not just neurologists. I've had to deal with orthopedics people openly disagreeing with each other about my condition and the prognosis. Often it seems that the PT folks know more about my condition than the MDs do.
I’m not at all surprised. The only person I trust as much as my family doctor is a physical therapist. Actually, he’s one of two physical therapists who have been invaluable in helping me get a huge tangled mess of problems whittled down to a small, tangled mess. One left the clinic to do in-home therapy, so now I’m down to one. I’m not complaining.
I’m not in therapy right now, but the last time I saw him he gave me his card, and told me to contact him if I had any questions or concerns. As far as I’m concerned, he’s my therapist.
Too bad there’s no way to force a doctor to read, let alone seriously consider, PT notes. Think of how much waste that would eliminate.
I was born without an anus. It affects roughly 1 in 5000 people worldwide. I got a surgery as a baby to connect the colon and make an opening to the outside. The surgeon looped my colon around a muscle so I have some kind of functioning inner sphincter, but once it goes past that, all bets are off. As an adult I learned to watch what I eat and when I go to the bathroom. Some days I just can't control anything, but most days are good because I learned how my body works differently from normal people. I don't eat for fun anymore. It's a strict diet or I will have trouble the next day.
Due to the trauma that I endured as a child I developed paranoid schizophrenia. My brain was always primed and worried about other children finding out. I learned that adults are more understanding, but the damage was already done. I have more trouble from the paranoid mindset than I have from the physical issue.
I had a good life despite of everything. I did martial arts and mountain-biking. I was a successful musician until the mental stuff started. I'm slowly getting back to playing with others though. Working on my self confidence mainly. Schizophrenia can destroy ones sense of self. Luckily its going well and I've had many compliments on my musicianship. I do prefer to sit down when playing, as it helps with controlling my colon.
I had a good experience talking about my schizophrenia with other people on here. So I might as well come out about my psychical limitations. It's not easy to talk about stuff like this in public. But I do it anyway as it helps raise awareness of things we don't like to talk about usually because of shame. Both my issues are not apparent. Until people notice that my behavior is not entirely normal sometimes. Like, why does he goes to the bathroom so often.. is he sniffing coke in there? Like the stupid people do sometimes.
Due to the trauma that I endured as a child I developed paranoid schizophrenia. My brain was always primed and worried about other children finding out. I learned that adults are more understanding, but the damage was already done. I have more trouble from the paranoid mindset than I have from the physical issue.
I had a good life despite of everything. I did martial arts and mountain-biking. I was a successful musician until the mental stuff started. I'm slowly getting back to playing with others though. Working on my self confidence mainly. Schizophrenia can destroy ones sense of self. Luckily its going well and I've had many compliments on my musicianship. I do prefer to sit down when playing, as it helps with controlling my colon.
I had a good experience talking about my schizophrenia with other people on here. So I might as well come out about my psychical limitations. It's not easy to talk about stuff like this in public. But I do it anyway as it helps raise awareness of things we don't like to talk about usually because of shame. Both my issues are not apparent. Until people notice that my behavior is not entirely normal sometimes. Like, why does he goes to the bathroom so often.. is he sniffing coke in there? Like the stupid people do sometimes.
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This thread hadn’t been bumped in a bit…
I’m dealing with another round of crushing lower back pain that makes it even more challenging than usual to play, even while sitting down. It’s extraordinarily frustrating to have to stop playing and practicing while this issue resolves. I’m easing back into it and find I need to warm up and cool down to play. I need to do a little stretching and exercise to get my back ready to deal with the strain of playing, as well as relax when I’m done. This means if I have 30 minutes to play, I really only have 20-25. Anyone else have a prep/recovery routine they need to follow?
I’m dealing with another round of crushing lower back pain that makes it even more challenging than usual to play, even while sitting down. It’s extraordinarily frustrating to have to stop playing and practicing while this issue resolves. I’m easing back into it and find I need to warm up and cool down to play. I need to do a little stretching and exercise to get my back ready to deal with the strain of playing, as well as relax when I’m done. This means if I have 30 minutes to play, I really only have 20-25. Anyone else have a prep/recovery routine they need to follow?
A few years ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. I've gone through the standard diagnostics and a fairly straightfoward treatment plan since that time. About a year ago, my wife and I started running across articles where other PD patients reported slowing the progression of the disease by taking up piano. Some went so far as to claim that they had reduced the impact of the PD tremors with piano.
Well I don't have room (or the inclination) to take up piano but I did have a fretless bass on hand from an earlier attempt to take up bass guitar. I started working with it and noticed that when I'm playing (even playing poorly) my tremors would not manifest. Since then I've continued along the path of a beginner bassist with a better bass, online instruction and regular practice. I can't claim that my PD symptoms have receded but my subjective feeling is that my symptoms have not worsened. My neurologist agrees and I don't need a prescription for this form of treatment. Plus, I'm having a blast learning blues bass, jamming and challenging myself to become a better bassist.
Well I don't have room (or the inclination) to take up piano but I did have a fretless bass on hand from an earlier attempt to take up bass guitar. I started working with it and noticed that when I'm playing (even playing poorly) my tremors would not manifest. Since then I've continued along the path of a beginner bassist with a better bass, online instruction and regular practice. I can't claim that my PD symptoms have receded but my subjective feeling is that my symptoms have not worsened. My neurologist agrees and I don't need a prescription for this form of treatment. Plus, I'm having a blast learning blues bass, jamming and challenging myself to become a better bassist.
A former student of mine developed PD over 20 years ago. Part of his efforts to deal with the disease has been to learn to play mandolin, and then later, bass guitar. He tells me he plays in a group every week. I don't see him often but he seems to be doing reasonably well.
This book hasn’t been my favorite read but it was a best seller, and it has several interesting music related anecdotes. Some of the stories are connected to disability or disability adjacent. I think some of the people in this thread might find it interesting.
Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks.
Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks.
I just found this thread. So good to see how others are dealing with their own personal journey.
I am newly disabled as of February 7th of this year. Double spinal cord injury, high neck and low back, from a hit and run. This left me unable to walk without a cane or forearm crutches and it is sketchy at best. I have tremors from neck to toes except in my right arm. Unfortunately I am left handed. The left hand tremor is worse in closed hand position like holding silverware, pens, knives etc.. In a more open hand position like fretting my bass its mostly fine. I have a performance range of about 70-100% depending how my arm is feeling that day. I can only play seated now.
Here's the best part. Professionally I am sushi chef and restaurant co-owner. Since I can't control my hand properly I haven't been able to make sushi safely. Not a good Idea to be wielding a 12 inch razor blade of knife whilst having unpredictable hand tremors. I'm looking at the very real possibility that I may have to sell my business, retire, and go on disability at the age of 48. More than likely there will be a wheelchair in my near future.
I have two more MRI's this week and I'm still getting my full treatment plan set up.
I am newly disabled as of February 7th of this year. Double spinal cord injury, high neck and low back, from a hit and run. This left me unable to walk without a cane or forearm crutches and it is sketchy at best. I have tremors from neck to toes except in my right arm. Unfortunately I am left handed. The left hand tremor is worse in closed hand position like holding silverware, pens, knives etc.. In a more open hand position like fretting my bass its mostly fine. I have a performance range of about 70-100% depending how my arm is feeling that day. I can only play seated now.
Here's the best part. Professionally I am sushi chef and restaurant co-owner. Since I can't control my hand properly I haven't been able to make sushi safely. Not a good Idea to be wielding a 12 inch razor blade of knife whilst having unpredictable hand tremors. I'm looking at the very real possibility that I may have to sell my business, retire, and go on disability at the age of 48. More than likely there will be a wheelchair in my near future.
I have two more MRI's this week and I'm still getting my full treatment plan set up.
"Welcome" to the club. Spinal cord injury here. I'm coming up on the 15 year anniversary of the injury.
I just listened to this podcast on abandoned technology. It starts off with the story of a woman who had implanted technology to help her walk after a spinal cord injury, only to have the tech company go out of business. It is an interesting listen if you are in the mood for such things. Of course, also a "trigger warning" if you are sensitive to hearing about such things. I'm aware that we're all in different places with our recovery and management of a variety of conditions.
Wow…are you able to at least supervise the others in your kitchen?
Not really. There’s not really room for me to pull up a chair monitor everything. We are a tiny 40 seat restaurant with a closet for a kitchen. I can handle about 2.5 hours of sitting at my sushi bar and doing admin on my laptop top. Any more than that and I am completely wrecked for two days.
