Michael Olson

Location: Fort Collins, CO

Challenge: Multiple Sclerosis

Website: www.michaelolsononline.com

My name is Michael Olson, and I've been a professional bassist since 1990, playing all over the country with the Colorado-based band Wind Machine as well as being a "hired gun" for dozens upon dozens of other artists.

Around 2003, I began to show signs that things weren't quite right with me - I couldn't run in a straight line, my feet felt like I was always walking barefoot on rocks, and my right leg would give up after walking a mile or so. These symptoms went away after a while, but others showed up in their place, and after a few MRIs and doctor visits, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in late 2006.

As it stands currently, my right side is affected much more than my left; I split my time between a walker and a powerchair, and my right hand has been weakened quite severely.

I've been forced to use a pick instead of my fingers, and therefore forced to find a pick tone that works for electric bass, and also works for the people I'm hired to play with from gig to gig.

Despite all of this, I have enjoyed an 11-year stint with a pianist in Denver at a local restaurant, as well as playing with various rock, jazz, salsa groups as well as singer-songwriters. I've begun a blog that tells the story of a self-employed disabled bassist and the trials and tribulations associated therein: adabassist.tumblr.com.

Michael Olson - Bass Player with MS