The human body can be both very strong and very fragile. Given its complexity, it generally works pretty well. But there are those among us who face challenges because of various disabilities.

Some of these are generic. Others come as the result of accideents, trauma, or some other kind of misfortune. Then there’s the effect of disease.

It can be very rough. There can be discrimination. And there can be plenty of misunderstandings.

At the same time, though, there are opportunities for learning, compassion, and dialogue about what some of our fellow human beings needs in this life–and, just as importantly, what special things they can offer back.

Musicians are just like the rest of us, subject to the whims and frailties of this bag of water and chemicals we inhabit. These are some of their stories.

Songs heard on this program:

Ramones, I Wanna Be Sedated

X-Ambassadors, Renegades

Matt Good, Born Losers

The Vines, Break Free

Portugal. The Man, Feel It Still

Edwyn Collins, A Girl Like You

Billy Talent, Try Honesty

Spirit of the West, Home for a Rest

Eric Wilhite created this playlist for us.

The Ongoing History of New Music can be heard on the following stations:

We’re still looking for more affiliates in Calgary, Kamloops, Kelowna, Regina, Saskatoon, Brandon, Windsor, Montreal, Halifax, Charlottetown, Moncton, Fredericton, and St John’s and anywhere else with a transmitter. If you’re in any of those markets and you want the show, lemme know and I’ll see what I can do.

If you ever miss a show, you can always get the podcast edition available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your on-demand audio.

Questions about any past shows? Ideas for future programs? Just shoot an email to alan@alancross.ca