I would like to offer this page to any artists with a disability. The degree of impairment is not measurable in the sense that it makes you less or more of an artist, but the dedication, perseverance and the tremendous amount of work and time it takes to develop your skill certainly needs to be expressed and acknowledged.

The damaged body needs the mind to help stay healthy, and the mind needs purpose, or in my case, creativity to continue to grow and provide the nutrients for a happy and fulfilling life. This is difficult enough for able-bodied individuals, but becomes a real challenge for the impaired.

I have lived with my paralysis for over thirty years and have accomplished more than a lot of people I have known during that time. It's not a comparison, merely a burning desire to express myself in every way possible. I continually find new avenues for personal development and have come to the conclusion that life is way too short to waste even for a single minute. I know many of you feel the same way, and I would love to celebrate in your achievements as well. - - - Chazz deMeyer

Gary Schooley: Check out his site: MUSICABILITY - - Amateur hand drummer & re-educating my long lost electric bass playing skills. - Paraplegic

The Past: My claim to fame as a musician Paraplegic was a three year stint as a drummer with the Mad Dog Drummers of Mu, (dis-banded over ten years ago) We were a 16 to 21 person percussion orchestra led by Fulbright Award winning Tabla Drummer Daniel Paul, graduate of the Ali Akbar College of Music.

I played metal and ceramic Doumbeks and fame drums. The music genre: East Indian compositions, both traditional and original, using Persian/Mid-East notation and drumming techniques. Drumming rehearsals & classes two days a week for almost three years were a blessing for me. The pulse and beat got into my body, and in some ways made up for not being able to feel 50% of it! When drumming, there is feeling deeper than skin deep. The performances were so charged, that even when down with bladder infections I showed up and did my part.

Before becoming a Paraplegic I played bass guitar with a half dozen rock bands in the San Francisco area in the late 60's early 70's. I sold it all and went 'back to the land' on 50 acres plus several hundred BLM acres behind our 50 in North Eastern Washington State. The years passed as they do... Now: The bass has returned & I play at home refreshing my memory.

The Mad Dog Drummers of Mu circa 1992

Me: lower right corner; that was then...