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

Starscream600 · Dec 29, 2012

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.

“I have been trying for ten years to get this classified as a handicap,” Roger told The Local. ”I spoke to three psychologists and they finally agreed that I needed this to avoid being discriminated against.” I signed a form saying: ‘Roger feels compelled to show his heavy metal style. This puts him in a difficult situation on the labour market. Therefore he needs extra financial help’. So now I can turn up at a job interview dressed in my normal clothes and just hand the interviewers this piece of paper.” He was also lucky to land a job as a dishwasher and an employer who allowed him to listen to his loud music as long he didn’t disturb guests and to attend as many heavy-metal gigs as he liked, if he made up for lost time at a later date.

But while many news sites have recently picked up the 6-year-old story and present it as still relevant, the truth is Roger Tullgren no longer receives benefits. After his case became famous years ago, and many occupational psychologists in Sweden declared themselves baffled by the decision to support a man’s addiction with benefits instead of trying to cure it, the state soon canceled the original decision, at least according to a 2009 report by Barometern. He now makes a living as a sound engineer at heavy-metal events around the country, like the Sweden Rock Festival, and even plays in his band, Silverland. Although he wan’t too happy to see his benefits canceled, Tullgren admits he got a big PR boost for his music group after media picked up on his story.

Although the three occupational psychologists’ decision has expired, his addiction hasn’t. Heavy-metal is still a huge part of Roger Tullgren’s life, and the woman who once married him can confirm it. Years ago, his wife gave him an ultimatum – to choose between her and his love for hard rock. She is now his ex-wife.
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Man's Addiction to Heavy-Metal Earns Him Disability Benefits | Oddity Central - Collecting Oddities

Wow, you can actually do that?

3.8TransAM · Dec 29, 2012

Beat his ass and knock some sense into him?

Everything is an addiction now. Or just give him some pills

Belgrath · Dec 29, 2012

That guy is seriously whacked.

AnAutobot1985 · Dec 29, 2012

Fucking stupid. Common sense anyone? Agreed with above ^"Beat his ass and knock some sense into him."^

Starscream600 · Dec 29, 2012

Even Dran0n's not that addicted as that whacko guy. God.

User_93049 · Dec 29, 2012

What does most board members' addiction to collecting TFs count as?

MrFX · Dec 29, 2012

Years ago, his wife gave him an ultimatum – to choose between her and his love for hard rock. She is now his ex-wife.
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Like she didn't see that one coming.

AutobotJazz1 · Dec 29, 2012

Wow.Im sure i think ive seen it all but i know i havnt...............

JazzHunter83 · Dec 29, 2012

I swear that in Australia we have similar weird stories of people claiming the disability support pension. My mum actually worked for several years as an authorised review officer at centrelink (our social security/benefits office) and her job was to review appeals and either uphold or revoke the original decision. There were people claiming the disability pension for all sorts of things from food allergies, to sex addictions to having simply an "abrasive" personality, that apparently severely limited their employment options.

I suppose anything could be a disability if it's severe enough.....

Star Sabre James · Dec 29, 2012

"Stupid is as stupid does".

I believe that was a line from a movie, and fits here.

rattrap007 · Dec 29, 2012

Alright how many of us are secretly thinking "How can I use my love of Transformers to do the same?"

biscuits · Dec 29, 2012

Wish I could get that for school

LegendAntihero · Dec 29, 2012

Cool. Now he can anywhere he wants

TheIncredibleHulk · Dec 29, 2012

That man is my hero

MetalRyde · Dec 29, 2012

help! I'm addicted to video games!
I can't function without playing at least 2 hours worth!

do i qualify for disablity?

im thinking no.

grimlock1972 · Dec 29, 2012

Dafuq? Seriously? Does that mean we can all get disability for our addictions to plastic crack?

An Army of Bees · Dec 29, 2012

EDIT: Oh wait, this was Sweden? Nevermind.

Onslaught24 · Dec 29, 2012

if we're all addicted to TFs, we should all get half price on imports

and i'm not really surprised about this. i mean this is Sweden we're talking about

Dark Skull · Dec 29, 2012

No offense to other heavy metal fans, but its almost like dude is saying heavy metal fans are ******ed and should be classified as such (so you all can get benefits). Lame.

TrueNomadSkies · Dec 29, 2012

This is like the MLP thing all over again, except to a much less awesome degree, even if factual.

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

Starscream600 Certified Virtual Pilot

3.8TransAM Banned

Belgrath Boom! Nutshot!

AnAutobot1985 Well-Known Member

Starscream600 Certified Virtual Pilot

User_93049 Well-Known Member

MrFX Collecting never ends...

AutobotJazz1 Well-Known Member

JazzHunter83 Mrs FatalT

Star Sabre James The JUICE

rattrap007 one with the Force TFW2005 Supporter

biscuits Sin from Genesis

LegendAntihero Banned

TheIncredibleHulk Bad Luck Incarnate

MetalRyde is an a-hole with a heart. RIP Spike and Mojo.

grimlock1972 Optimus, serving up the primest of ribs since 1984

An Army of Bees WTF@TFW Podcast Editor Veteran

Onslaught24 Ayo Fryman. That uh, that's highly illogical. Moderator News Staff

Dark Skull Well-Known Enabler Veteran

TrueNomadSkies Well-Known Member

Log in or Sign up

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

Starscream600 Certified Virtual Pilot

3.8TransAM Banned

Belgrath Boom! Nutshot!

AnAutobot1985 Well-Known Member

Starscream600 Certified Virtual Pilot

User_93049 Well-Known Member

MrFX Collecting never ends...

AutobotJazz1 Well-Known Member

JazzHunter83 Mrs FatalT

Star Sabre James The JUICE

rattrap007 one with the Force TFW2005 Supporter

biscuits Sin from Genesis

LegendAntihero Banned

TheIncredibleHulk Bad Luck Incarnate

MetalRyde is an a-hole with a heart. RIP Spike and Mojo.

grimlock1972 Optimus, serving up the primest of ribs since 1984

An Army of Bees WTF@TFW Podcast Editor Veteran

Onslaught24 Ayo Fryman. That uh, that's highly illogical. Moderator News Staff

Dark Skull Well-Known Enabler Veteran

TrueNomadSkies Well-Known Member

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