Dear Sum 41,
I wanted to start by saying that I absolutely love you guys and have been a fan for nearly 2 decades. There wasnโt a week that went by that I wouldnโt play a track from โDoes This Look Infected?โ on my radio show in college.
I was at your show at the Worcester Palladium on Halloween night. You guys were absolutely incredible, and I was so pumped actually getting to see you live for the first time. I use a wheelchair full-time due to Charcot-Marie Tooth Muscular Dystrophy.
I had called the venue ahead of time to check accessibility and was told everything was fine. So, I went ahead and purchased a VIP ticket.
When I arrived, I was shown to a spot in the supposed VIP section, which had a bar across the front, blocking the view of the stage from wheelchair height. My companion and I did complain and ask if it would be alright for me to move onto the floor in front of the stage, where everyone who bought a ticket had access to.
I was told that due to my wheelchair, I was not allowed to be on the floor with everyone else because of โinsurance reasons.โ I was also told that there was no accessible way to get me down to floor level. When I pushed the issue further, I was directed to come along with a staff member, who led us outside around the building and through a door that led directly to the floor itself. But, instead of letting me just stay there, they made me bump up a couple of steps only to lead to another spot off of the floor.
At this point, I was very upset due to the poor treatment and probably looked noticeably gloomy. A very kind gentleman on the floor in front of me offered to pick me up and help me crowd surf out of my chair, since the venue would not allow me to be in my wheelchair. As a point of reference, I have been on the floor and lifted in my wheelchair very safely and notified security ahead of time at previous concerts. I had even been to this same venue for a show this past August, only outdoors, and was allowed on the floor previously without any problem.
I definitely understand that it was my choice to get picked up and go onto the floor without my wheelchair. But it was not my choice to not have access to my prescribed mobility aid, which I feel would have kept me safe and protected me from an injury in the first place. I ended up falling and fracturing my right hip.
I did get some killer surfing in though and kept rocking out after I made it back to my chair. Then I noticed the pain getting worse. I guess I got In Too Deep haha.
Please donโt think I am writing this letter looking for something or blaming you guys in any way. The purpose of me reaching out to you is to make you aware of what happened at this venue, and I am hoping by doing so, I can shed some light on the issues with accessibility and treatment of folks with disabilities at such places. We are definitely not looking for any type of special treatment and are just there to have the same experience and rock out like everyone else.
Thank you guys again for the amazing show, and you know you have a fan for life!
Lots of love,
Misa on Wheels
