I have been an Oregonian for 18 years, but Ive been disabled for 12. I don’t always need a wheelchair but I do need a chair for sitting during the show. Standing for more then just a short time causes extreme and excrutiating pain. Needless to say, going out for a night of music is something that I seek when I know a chair is avialable like the Roseland’s balcony. I don’t mind waiting a few hours to be in line and get a seat. Its the other venues in town that leave me at home without the ability to see a show. If I couldn’t get balcony tickets for Roseland, I would be out of luck. They say you can have chairs but the security makes it seem as though you have asked them to fart in public. I guess I should wear a sign that says im handicapped and need a chair? Would that help? Don’t even get me started on the Crystal ballroom. They say they are handicapped friendly and yes they have an elevator to get you to the floor where the stage is. But there is no place to be and see the show. Part of the fun of going to live music is being able to see it. If you can stand, well no problem, you can move back and forth and see even if someone taller then you is standing in front of you Down in a wheelchair, its almost impossible to see unless you are up front. If I want to go without my wheelchair, which sometimes I do, I can walk small distances, I would LOVE to go see a show at the Crystal. I hope that some of the other venues start to get music I want to see.

8 replies on “Handicapped Music Lover”

  1. Yeah, the sound at the Crystal is not that good. Check out the Aladdin or Revolutionary Hall. Both book lots of good acts and have plenty of seating.

  2. This is a legit complaint. There should be a spot (or spots) by the stage or in view of the stage saved for wheelchair users like they have at movie theaters, large auditoriums and sports venues.

  3. The crystal has an elevator to the balcony and the balcony has seating so yeah the crystal, and the aladdin doesn’t have an elevator but they have seating in the balcony and it sounds like you can stand up for a minute to get there.

  5. I am sorry for your situation. I think you are very brave to love music so much you go to a lot of trouble to do so. I have been here only two years,and know it is more than difficult to do all this with no wheelchair access. For some reason I always check out wheel chair access, I can only help by inquiring at establishments why they do not have them. This is a darling little city,many kind hearted people, and if we all take a stand for people in your situation we can make a difference. Some day we may experience your situation. I will be more vigilant and hope I and other activist can help. Another music lover.

  6. Bullshit.
    Yeah, the Roseland caters to you sure, but you are neglecting the fact there one hell of a lot of short people out there too,who can’t see shit too well either.
    Where is the 5′ and under area, for example?
    Should there be a special area designated for short people too?

  7. I wouldn’t be surprised if having a wheelchair becomes the next great way to get great seating, much like the extreme abuse of ‘handicapped’ parking.

    This is not to be understood as against those truly handicapped, but jesus-fuck, you must have seen 90% of those folks parking in handicapped spots who don’t really need it.
    The city finally cracked down on that abuse from downtown workers awhile back, who could get any doctor to sign off on a form for them – for a price.
    My argument remains:
    what about the shorter folks attending too? At what point do you draw the line? No people above 6′ in the mid-section?
    This doesn’t sound like the makings of any great stand-up rock show to me.

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