Being A Metal Fan Considered a Disability In Sweden (bass, rock)

Urban Hat€monger ? · 06-19-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Man gets sick benefits for heavy metal addiction
Published: 19th June 2007 15:12 CET
Online: The Local - Man gets sick benefits for heavy metal addiction

A Swedish heavy metal fan has had his musical preferences officially classified as a disability. The results of a psychological analysis mean that the metal lover can now count on having his income supplemented by state benefits.

Roger Tullgren, 42, from Hässleholm in southern Sweden has just got a new job as a dishwasher at a local restaurant.

Because heavy metal dominates so many aspects of his life, the Employment Service has agreed to pay part of Tullgren's salary. His new boss meanwhile has given him a special dispensation to play loud music at work.

"The fact that I am so into music has affected my work situation to the extent that I have had to quit some jobs," he said.

Roger Tullgren first developed an interest in heavy metal when his older brother came home with a Black Sabbath album in 1971.

Since then little else has mattered for the 42-year-old, who has long black hair, a collection of tattoos and wears skull and crossbones jewelry.

Last year the ageing rocker claims to have attended almost three hundred shows, often skipping work in the process.

Eventually his last employer tired of his absences and Tullgren was left jobless and reliant on welfare handouts.

But a series of sessions with a psychologist soon led to a solution of sorts: Tullgren signed a piece of paper on which his heavy metal lifestyle was classified as a disability, an assessment that entitles him to a wage supplement from the job centre.

The manager at his new workplace allows him to go to concerts as long as he makes up for lost time at a later point. He is also allowed to dress as he likes and listen to heavy metal while washing up.

"But not too loud when there are guests," said Tullgren.

The Local spoke to an occupational psychologist in Stockolm who admitted to being baffled by the decision.

"I think it's extremly strange. Unless there is an underlying diagnosis it is absolutely unbelievable that the job centre would pay pay out.

"If somebody has a gambling addiction, we don't send them down to the racetrack. We try to cure the addiction, not encourage it," he said.

Henrietta Stein, deputy employment director for the Skåne region, is also puzzled by the move; "an interest in music" is not usually sufficient to qualify for wage benefits.

"Certain cases are confidential but in general there is always a medical reason that is well-documented," she said.

Tullgren currently plays bass and guitar in two rock bands and says that he tends to get a lot of positive reactions for daring to be himself.

"Some might say that I should grow up and learn to listen to other types of music but I can't. Heavy metal is my lifestyle," he said.

Good on him I say.

Laces Out Dan! · 06-19-2007, 01:47 PM

Haha, that man has got it made..other than the fact that he's 42 and working in a dish pit. Im sure he couldnt be any happier though.

chumb · 06-19-2007, 01:50 PM

I can just see it now... Metalheads Anonymous. "Hi, my name is Jurgen and I'm a metalholic."

Urban Hat€monger ? · 06-19-2007, 01:57 PM

I'm disappointed , I was expecting him to be much balder & fatter.

Voice_of_the_Soul12,13,01 · 06-19-2007, 03:23 PM

Dude, awesome. HAHA!

jackhammer · 06-19-2007, 05:20 PM

Addicted to metal? I'm addicted to cheesy Wotsits and porn-I have orange fingers-do I get some benefits?

swim · 06-19-2007, 05:28 PM

I think they need to give money away to the drug addicts.

Laces Out Dan! · 06-19-2007, 06:21 PM

Or just save them a step and give them free drugs...top quality shit too.

Bane of your existence · 06-20-2007, 05:04 AM

*moves to Sweden

Voice_of_the_Soul12,13,01 · 06-20-2007, 10:52 PM

Doesn't Sweden also allow bestiality?

06-19-2007, 01:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Laces Out Dan! I love Puck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: British Columbia Posts: 4,614	Haha, that man has got it made..other than the fact that he's 42 and working in a dish pit. Im sure he couldnt be any happier though. __________________ We are entirely smooth, We admit to the truth, We are the best at what we do.

06-19-2007, 01:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
chumb awamba Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 133	I can just see it now... Metalheads Anonymous. "Hi, my name is Jurgen and I'm a metalholic." __________________ ... I begged her, shoot me in the head She took my gun and shot my leg instead

06-19-2007, 01:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Urban Hat€monger ? The Sexual Intellectual Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere cooler than you Posts: 18,605	I'm disappointed , I was expecting him to be much balder & fatter. __________________ Urb's RYM Stuff Most people sell their soul to the devil, but the devil sells his soul to Nick Cave.

06-19-2007, 03:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Voice_of_the_Soul12,13,01 #1 Schuldinist. Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 420	Dude, awesome. HAHA! __________________ I don't mean to dwell But I can't help myself When I feel the vibe And taste a memory Of a time in life When years seemed to stand still

06-19-2007, 05:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Addicted to metal? I'm addicted to cheesy Wotsits and porn-I have orange fingers-do I get some benefits? __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

06-19-2007, 05:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
swim dontcareaboutyou Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 5,188	I think they need to give money away to the drug addicts. __________________ http://nakednaps.bandcamp.com/

06-19-2007, 06:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
Laces Out Dan! I love Puck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: British Columbia Posts: 4,614	Or just save them a step and give them free drugs...top quality shit too. __________________ We are entirely smooth, We admit to the truth, We are the best at what we do.

06-20-2007, 05:04 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bane of your existence Such That Join Date: May 2007 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 1,197	*moves to Sweden

06-20-2007, 10:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
Voice_of_the_Soul12,13,01 #1 Schuldinist. Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 420	Doesn't Sweden also allow bestiality? __________________ I don't mean to dwell But I can't help myself When I feel the vibe And taste a memory Of a time in life When years seemed to stand still