Newly endowed title as the Activist for Cheaper Concert Tickets (ACCT)
So there I was, already very upset the first time I called when I asked the customer service lady at Era Tickets if there were concert ticket discounts for people in wheelchairs. I had wanted to attend Andrea Bocelli's only concert in Taiwan on April 19, and the lady sounded as if she'd never heard of "special discounts" before. I got into a foul mood and asked sarcastically if it's reasonable that I have to purchase the most expensive seats in the stadium simply because it'll be hard to get wheelchairs up into the balcony. "There're no discounts, sorry." I wished I had slammed the phone down right then.
So when two weeks ago I called again to ask about Don McLean's concert in Taipei, I could feel my heart pounding and temperature rising as the lady not-so-politely explained that the concert venue is not wheelchair accessible anyway. I hadn't bothered to call when I heard about the James Blunt concert, and now they're turning me down again. She said I could probably get into the front area, but that means I'll have to pay $4000 when the cheapest tickets start from $1200. On top of that, my helper wouldn't get any discounts either. Oh right, that's really fair, I wanted to say. I asked the lady if she's sure the organizers are really not offering any discounts because of "safety concerns," or because they just hadn't thought of wheelchairs users like me. But I was on Skype and somehow the call was disconnected. I was angry as hell.
Not giving up, I quickly opened my gmail and wrote out a short but slightly passive-aggressive email to Era Tickets. Till today I have not heard a word in reply. Luckily, it somehow occurred to me as I was writing the email that I should forward the email to Taipei Government too. I did. The next day I got a call.
The lady at the Taipei City Department of Social Welfare told me that she had called Era Tickets and the concert venue, namely, the stadium at National Taiwan University. The staff at the sports stadium told her that as long as I inform the personnel when I arrive, there's a way to get me inside the stadium. Era Tickets was only selling the tickets on behalf of the organizers, so they gave the lady their contact number. The person who picked up the phone at the organizers' office (a Miss Wu) didn't know how to answer the social welfare lady, but said I could give them a direct call later and they'll try to sort things out.
So I got their number. Unfortunately by the time I called, the lady has left the office and her colleague said she'll call me back later. I left my number, but the next day was a holiday. By the next Monday I was so busy every day that I never found time to call them before 5 p.m. Then it was Thursday, and just before noon I got the call.
"Is this Elaine?" The voice asked. She didn't even explain who she was, but instead continued: "We just want to inform you that wheelchair tickets for the Don McLean concert cost $1200 each and are in the front area, on the North and South sections. There will be a seat for your helper. Just fax us the order form along with your disability card."
When I put down my cell phone I pumped my fists in the air and let out a shout. I fought the law, and the law lost!!!
By the way, if you go online now to order the Don McLean concert tickets, you'll see this line below the order sheet:
Important Notice: There are no actual seats for wheelchairs. It is open only to wheelchair users and one companion (order directly from Era Tickets only). General public please do not purchase, thank you.
I am still not quite sure if I'll go, because it's in Taipei and my parents are rather busy. But I had to put this on my blog and share it with my friends. You have no idea how difficult it is for people with disabilities to get justice even today. I could have exploded into a thousand pieces if the lady at the Department of Social Welfare had not pursued it with such vigor. On behalf of all the concert-goers in wheelchairs, I say "Thank you Miss Su M. W. You make us all proud."
