DJing with DMD shows how music connects us beyond disability
Written by |
Kevin Kaelin, who uses a wheelchair due to DMD, has seen the power of music help people see beyond his disabiliity. (Courtesy of Kevin Kaelin)
In recognition of Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month in September, the Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month campaign features a series of stories highlighting the real-life experiences of people affected by muscular dystrophy, written in their own words. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or X for more stories like this, using the hashtag #MDAwarenessMonth, or read the full series.
Ludwig van Beethoven, Stevie Wonder, and Rick Allen are all musicians. Guess what else they have in common? All three live (or lived) with physical disabilities.
Beethoven composed one of his most famous symphonies after he was completely deaf. Wonder, widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, is blind. Allen, the drummer for Def Leppard, has one arm.
My name is Kevin Kaelin, and I live with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). I am not a musician, but I have been a DJ for many years.
Kaelin enjoys not only working events as a DJ but also attending them. (Courtesy of Kevin Kaelin)
I grew up around music. My family has a piano, my dad has a drum set and bass guitars, and both of my brothers played trumpet in a youth orchestra. I’m fascinated with music production and how bands and musicians create their unique sound.
Music can transcend disabilities. When listening to Beethoven, do you think about how he was deaf, or do you think “Wow, this is a wonderful arrangement”?
While researching this story, I looked up famous musicians who have disabilities. I found that I listen to music by groups that have members who use wheelchairs, and I had no idea.
As someone living with DMD, I think about how other people sometimes see a wheelchair user and think that person can’t do the things able-bodied people can accomplish. When you use a power wheelchair, it’s obvious, and people sometimes have a hard time looking past that and seeing the person.
That’s where I think music can be powerful.
When I DJ an event, it’s not about what I can’t do. My job is to get the crowd dancing and having a good time. No one cares that the DJ has DMD. Going out into the community and DJing events shows that those of us with serious disabilities can do cool, amazing things.
But I don’t DJ to show the world that a disabled person can be a productive member of society. I do it because I love doing it!
It’s difficult to live with a neuromuscular disease. There are things you want to do, but no matter how hard you try, your body just won’t listen to you. The beauty of music is that it allows me to participate regardless of physical ability. Music is accessible to and for all of us. All you need is a laptop or tablet/phone, and you can make music too!
I believe that living with DMD has given me more appreciation for the power of music. I see it when I DJ, because it lets the crowd see that I am more than my diagnosis.
Too often, I feel that those of us living with DMD are looked at for what we can’t do. I DJ because I love to, but if one person at an event comes away with a changed mind about what a wheelchair-user living with Duchenne MD can accomplish, that makes all the difference in the world.
