Having originally let my student MU membership lapse, I luckily rejoined the Union at a discounted rate while I was a member of Southbank Sinfonia in 2009, just a few months before I became disabled as a result of a serious car accident.
It feels great to be part of a bigger movement
After the accident I had quite a few weeks lying on my back in hospital with very little to do, and while leafing through the MU magazine that came with my post along with the ‘get well soon’ cards, I spotted an article explaining that as part of my MU membership, I had access to a personal injury claim service.
This financial aid, as well as that from the MU Benevolent Fund, was extremely helpful as all my playing and teaching work at the time was on a freelance basis, so I had no access to sick pay for the months before I was able to start working again.
I’ve been a member of the MU’s Disabled Members’ Network since early on, and earlier this year I was privileged to be elected onto the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. It feels great to be part of a bigger movement where we can discuss, learn from each other and make positive changes in the music industry.
I have also worked closely with the MU whilst on the players’ committees at the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, and currently at Welsh National Opera, where we are taking industrial action in the fight to keep sustainable, quality jobs for a full time, full size orchestra.
@wearethemu 📣 Protect Welsh National Opera! Musicians in the Welsh National Opera orchestra taking action short of strike ✊ They are calling on WNO management, Arts Council of Wales and Arts Council England to: • Keep WNO as a full-time company • Stop the proposed 15% pay cut • Agree a sustainable funding package to secure WNO's future, including touring Show your support ✍️Sign the petition at the link in bio 👇Leave a message of support in the comments #WNOProud +++ 📣 Diogelu Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru! Mae Cerddorion cerddorfa Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru yn gweithredu’n brin o streic ✊ Mae nhw’n galw ar reolwyr OCC, Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru a Chyngor Celfyddydau Lloegr i: • Gadw Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru yn gwmni llawn-amser • Atal y toriad cyflog 15% arfaethedig • Cytuno ar becyn ariannu cynaliadwy er mwyn sicrhau dyfodol Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru, gan gynnwys teithio Dangoswch eich cefnogaeth ✍️ Arwyddwch y ddeiseb drwy ddilyn y ddolen yn bio 👇 Gadewch neges o gefnogaeth yn y sylwadau #WNOBalch +++ #fyp #Cardiff #WelshNationalOpera #SaveWNO #WNORigoletto #OperaCenedlaetholCymru #Opera #ClassicalMusic #Musicians #TradeUnion #MusiciansUnion#CapCut ♬ original sound - WeAreTheMU
Reframing my relationship with my disability
My experiences as a disabled orchestral musician have been varied to say the least! Venue accessibility varies enormously, with most backstage areas being considerably less accessible to those of us with mobility impairments than the refurbished front of house experience.
My particular disability also varies in how mobile I am, how much pain I’m in, and therefore how noticeable or invisible my identity as a disabled person is. Sometimes I use a walking stick, occasionally a wheelchair, often crutches, and sometimes I’m not using any mobility aid so can ‘pass’ as able bodied.
I’ve come to accept that this causes confusion for some people, and I have to trust and allow them to cope with those difficult feelings themselves, without letting it affect my choice to use whatever aids will help me most on a day to day basis.
Being a member of the GB Paralympic Kayaking Team for five years has also helped me reframe my relationship with my disability, partly through how fantastic the attitudes of the staff and athletes were.
As disabled athletes, we were treated as high performance individuals first (as all professional musicians are by definition), with our various disabilities being easily and uncomplainingly catered for in order that we could perform at our best. Goals for the music industry right there!
Automatically including access riders when booking musicians can be incredibly reassuring
I was recently involved in an MU focus group on access riders for musicians with access needs. I personally find it incredibly reassuring when orchestras (such as the Aurora Orchestra) automatically send out an optional accessibility form when booking players for a project - it signals that they are already aware that not all musicians (or humans) are able bodied.
DWP statistics show that 23% of working age people in the UK have a disability, but this is not reflected in the workforce. Including an access needs form as a matter of course, in the same way as a bank details form for payment, would go some way to alleviating the reticence that many disabled musicians feel (for example when needing to ask for a blue badge parking space), when social stigma can already make us feel as if we’re being a ‘nuisance’.
Until that’s par for the course though, the MU has a useful access rider template.
Staff training, legal rights and general societal attitudes towards disability are improving
And for anyone who’s been refused an access need in the past, I’d like to just share a recent experience of how attitudes are changing for the better. I was freelancing last month for an orchestra that I’ve regularly worked for since around 2010, and usually find blue badge parking about four to five minutes walk from the venue.
I knew however that I was going to struggle with the distance that day, so phoned the orchestral manager to ask if there was any chance of blue badge parking at the venue. Their response was, “Of course, I’ll arrange that for every day this week.”
I nearly cried from relief when I put the phone down, and asked myself why it had taken me so many years to pluck up the courage to ask for this simple (and legal ‘reasonable request’). I remembered however, that I had asked back in 2011 or 2012 and been given a flat ‘no’ by the security desk, so had just assumed I couldn’t ask again.
Thankfully, staff training and general societal attitudes are improving, as well as legal rights. And when things don’t work out as they should, the MU is a great source of support, solidarity and legal advice.
Disability History Month 2024
Disability History Month 2024 takes place from 14 November - 20 December, and aims to highlight the history and achievements of disabled people, especially those who have fought for equality and human rights.
This year's theme is 'Disability, Livelihood and Employment', highlighting the historical and ongoing challenges disabled people face in the workforce, as well as the progress made towards greater inclusion and equality.
Join our Disabled Members' Network
The Disabled Members' Network is a space for MU members who identify as disabled and/or neurodivergent to meet and discuss issues that impact their communities, shape MU policy, and change the music industry and the MU for the better.