All the Feelings
My first concert using my WHILL C2 wheelchair
Last night, the husband and I ventured out with my new WHILL C2 wheelchair for the “All the Feelings” Boston tour stop: Metric, Broken Social Scene, and Stars at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway. It was my tenth time seeing Metric, second time seeing Stars, and first time seeing Broken Social Scene. We’ve been to the MGM Music Hall a bunch of times since it opened in 2022. What made this different was that it was my first successful concert as a power wheelchair user.
In May, one of my medical providers prescribed a power wheelchair as my hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) have made it increasingly difficult and dangerous for me to walk. Before being prescribed the power wheelchair, I’d been using an excellent ByAcre rollator, a transport wheelchair (someone had to push me), or a HurryCane.
Earlier this summer, a kind friend gifted me a Kerdom power wheelchair, which works well in my home, but couldn’t handle Boston city sidewalks. It could not mount a simple curb cut. I began researching power wheelchairs in earnest because outside of the home, long-distance travel, and in cities would be where I need a wheelchair the most. There was drama with health insurance, but that’s a whole other story.
I’m elated to share that the WHILL C2 was a great success, despite the rocky sidewalks of Lansdowne Street, lack of curb cuts, tour buses and restaurants taking over sidewalks, and dumbfounded people both outside and inside the concert venue. It handled like a dream. Not only did it make it over bumps, crevices, and inclines, but the suspension kept the ride smooth.
When we got to the venue, staff let us in without backtracking to the main line entrance, which was helpful. The wheelchair fit through the metal detectors. Security thoroughly checked my clear plastic purse and the basket under the wheelchair, where I had my cane folded up and an attachable drink holder. We didn’t buy any merch as the line went up the stairs, and I really just wanted to get situated. We took the elevator to our level, and a staff member escorted us to our seats in an ADA section. The staff member was helpful and moved a seat so that I could pull in with the wheelchair.
The venue was packed from the get-go for the first act, Stars, and any open spaces were filled in by the time Broken Social Scene took to the stage. A highlight of the Broken Social Scene set was when Metric’s Emily Haines and Jimmy Shaw joined them on stage for “Anthems for a 17-Year-Old Girl.”
Metric were fantastic and dazzling as always. Before they went on, I warned my husband that I wasn’t feeling well and that I may need to leave early. I had been battling a headache and nausea most of the day. But as the show went on, I realized that the two songs I wanted to hear most, “Black Sheep” and “Help I’m Alive,” would be part of the encore. I popped some SaltStick FastChews and soldiered through.
The worst part of the night was leaving the venue. I didn’t go to the bathroom before we left because the line was so long. Getting to the handicapped stall would’ve been a nightmare. Instead, we found ourselves jammed in the elevator where my David Lynch “Fix Your Hearts Or Die” shirt was popular. Getting out of the lobby and getting to the crosswalk/curb cut was a challenge. There was a pedicab parked in front of the curb cut to the crosswalk. Going up Lansdowne was a challenge, but once we were in Kenmore Square, it was smooth sailing.
I’m glad you had the new wheelchair! Dealing with the crowds at a music venue can be hectic especially for the disabled.
I’m so glad it went so smoothly for you! Can’t wait to see it in action!