Man’s Addiction to Heavy-Metal Earns Him Disability Benefits

Hi ya! Get over your belly full of turkey yet? At our house when I was growing up, we had another roast turkey to look forward to on New Year's Day. Then my birthday is a week later on Jan 6. Boy, I've got to tell you...we knew how to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas, eh. My belly and I do our best to maintain the tradition. But as Monty Python used to say...AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT...

Here’s something worth banging your head over: 42-year-old Roger Tullgren, from Hässleholm, Sweden, was cleared for state disability benefits after he’s been certified by three psychologists as a heavy-metal addict who can’t function at his workplace unless he is allowed to wear black T-shirts and camo pants, and rock out to loud heavy metal music.

The Swedish edition of The Local first reported about Roger Tullgren back in 2007, soon after his addiction to heavy-metal was acknowledged by psychologists and the state employment service agreed to pay part of his salary.

Apparently, his interest in heavy-metal started in 1971, when his brother came home with a Black Sabbath album. Since then he’s been hooked to everything that screams heavy-metal, sports long black hair, a collection of tattoos and wears skull and crossbones jewelry. Nothing really out of the ordinary so far, he’s not the only man in the world passionate about this culture.

But in Tullgren’s case, it started interfering with everything else. Because he couldn’t help attending hundreds of heavy-metal shows and events every year, often skipping work, his employer eventually tired of his antics and the aging rocker found himself without a job and relying on welfare. Luckily, after some sessions with occupational psychologists who certified his addiction to heavy-metal as a disability, Roger Tullgren earned the right to a wage supplement from the local job center.

Now why didn't I think of that? I should have pleaded 'Country Music Addiction' and got government benefits for it as well as the right to listen to Merle Haggard turned up to Grand Ol' Opry levels, eh! Dang! Hey, Jim...you're an ex-worker's comp person. What'd'ya think of my chances here in Ontar-i-ar-io?

See ya, eh!

Bob