To go to a concert tonight?

[LouH1981]

I have two children. 9 and 4. Due to covid, lack of child care etc my husband and I haven’t had a night out since DD4 was born. (2019)

A month or so ago, I saw that an artist, who I have loved for years and desperate to see live, is touring and coming to a small local venue near me. We had his music at our wedding, it was on my birthing playlist and it’s got me through some emotional times.

I arranged for my mum to look after the children and she actually bought my ticket as an early Christmas present.
I was beyond excited.

Fast forward to yesterday. Getting ready to take the children out for the day and I almost collapsed. Saw my GP who has diagnosed acute vertigo and given me some meds.

I’m currently in bed trying to rest. Not felt too dizzy today but also haven’t walked far.

But I am absolutely heartbroken that I cannot go tonight.

I suggested to my husband that maybe I could go and literally sit in a chair and at least listen to the guy sing.

My usually non-defeatist DH says absolutely not. Incase I collapse apparently.
My head is saying just accept it, my heart is saying go and leave if I feel weird.

Its rock music, probably a tonne of flashing lights. Venue is about 30 mins from home in a nearby city. I can’t afford to go on a different night to a different venue.
What would you guys do?

I had Vertigo a few years ago, it's horrible but the meds startedto work quite quickly (i.e, within 24 hours). I was ok sitting down, standing or moving my head made my head swim and very nauseous.

If you can sit down I would still go.

This helps, thank you 😊 I’ve had about 24 hours worth so fingers crossed.
It exactly that at the moment. Any quick neck movement and I start to feel unsteady.
I’m sure no one else would be seated but I wouldn’t care if I got to go! x

Go and enjoy the show in whatever way you can, it would be a shame to miss it. You could find yourself sitting at home, feeling a good bit better and cursing yourself for not going!

Ask the stewards to help you to your seat in case you fall. Absolutely go! If you feel unwell you can always leave. Just don't fall down the steps, be careful.

Are you going on your own or with your DH?

I would have to think carefully about going on my own, but would definitely go if someone else was there too

Tell the venue that you've been diagnosed with vertigo since you bought the ticket, and check that you can be seated, and any reasonable adjustments you might need. They're legally obliged to try within reason to accommodate disabilities. Definitely dont waste the opportunity.
The other option is to swap tickets with someone for a later date, but there's no guarantee that would work or that you'd feel any different then. I did do that via gumtree once but it was years ago.

A short term illness does not qualify as a disability and does not confer a right to reasonable adjustments.

I went to a standing gig the other day which had a cordoned off area with seating. I would expect most venues would have similar. I would call them and ask.

I would call the venue before making your way there just to check what accommodations they can make, it might help them too, they can put things in place.

Yes I would still go if you can sit down

@PurebredRacingUnicorn how does she or the venue know exactly how long she will suffer from it? She's having it now and if they're decent they'll try and accommodate her. She simply requires a chair. I don't think it's that much to ask.

it massivly depends who you are going with. if it was me I wouldn't go on my own, but I would 100% go with dh so he could help me if I fainted.

Who are you going with?

what's the venue like & what's the access like.

YANBU to go if you want to & if you feel comfortable with the arrangements. DH can worry about it, but he can't stop you.

I’d still try to go. (I’m assuming DH is going too, I might re-consider if going alone) if you feel well enough, give it a go. Try to sit down and be prepared to leave early if you need to. Seems a shame to waste the opportunity unless you can cancel for a full refund and have the opportunity to re-book in the future (which sounds like it isn’t the case)

Thank you so much for everyone’s advice.
My husband would be coming with me.
I think he is concerned because he saw how panicked I was yesterday when it first happened. He is usually the calm one so I’m guessing he was more worried than he let on.
I’ve tried to contact the venue about using a chair etc but it’s email only. No reply so far.
I think I’ll give it a go. I’ll know quite soon in the car etc if I won’t be up to it. Fingers crossed.

Yes, this is exactly how I feel. Thank you x
I wouldn’t go alone and it’s not safe for me to drive.
I’m in Shropshire, the next tour venue is Plymouth and then Belgium so I can’t rebook even if I had the money.

update
Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and encouragement.
We did go to the concert and stayed for about an hour.
A lovely steward found DH and I a fantastic pair of seats in the stalls with a brilliant view.
Felt a bit nauseous at the start and a bit wobbly now and then but once sat down I was ok, survived and I’m really glad we went.
Thank you all so much x