Advocates have called for an end to the “disappointing” lack of accessibility at live music events, with a quadriplegic musician branding the ability to access live music events a “basic human right”. Musician and peer support worker for Spinal Life Australia Tim McCallum was just 18 when he was left with no movement from his chest down after a diving accident. “I was a very active, independent, energetic, enthusiastic, motivated young guy, and then all of a sudden .
.. I hit my head on a sandbar when diving into the ocean,” Mr McCallum said.
“That paralysis — you have no use of three quarters of your body anymore — was obviously a huge shock to me.” Mr McCallum said after a period of “grief” he – along with the support of family and friends – set out to pursue his dream of being a successful performer, which he has stayed true to for 25 years on. “I’m still singing and entertaining and acting .
.. I feel very blessed that I’m still given these opportunities to sing and entertain people,” he said.
Live entertainment is even more precious following the pandemic, Mr McCallum said, from both a performer and audience member point of view. “There’s nothing like going to see a band and standing beside a stranger and dancing away going ‘This is cool!’” he said. However, attending often isn’t easy for the more than one in five Australians with accessibility requirements.
Mr McCallum said he continues to face a lot of accessibility and inc.
