Public Facilities and reactions of using the disabled loo

Not all handicapped people roll.
That is my moto...some walk, crawl, hop or skip...and some pass a truckload of gas...it is all about accepting other people's differences.
I have a sticker for the car and get dirty looks whenever I park and do not pull a chair out of my trunk. But I paid for that sticker with blood, sweat, sutures and a whole lota tears...so I won't appologise for being entitled to it.
I just keep saying to the dirty-lookers...Not all handicapped people roll.
Sharon

While I can see why any of us would prefer to use the handicapped stalls, forgive me for saying so, but it sounds like this is more about the aversion to the lack of cleanliness of the other stall, not an actual need of the handicapped stall.

The way I think about it is that people in wheelchairs have no choice. They HAVE to use those handicapped stalls because their chairs won't fit in the other ones. So, putting myself in their shoes, I also think they are justified in being irked that they have to risk soiling their pants because someone who didn't literally need that stall was using it. I don't think that non-handicapped people have anything to complain about though.

Might be a different story if all the stalls are occupied.

Jan

Unless I have no other choice, and I really have to go, I use nothing but the handicap bathroom, sometimes also called a "family" bathroom. Having a K pouch, going to the bathroom isn't so simple anymore, and it's just messy and awkward using a normal stall. I have to set up a water dish with a syringe (to irrigate my pouch), prepare tape and gauze to cover my stoma, and prepare my catheter (have to lubricate it before insertion). Trying to do this in a public stall is a royal pain in the butt, I now tend to frequent stores and restaurants that I know have handicap bathrooms, and have no qualms about using them. I too get dirty looks, but I really don't care, I've now reached a point where I put my comfort, both mental and physical, first, and to hell with what people may think or say. I'm neither shy nor quiet, if someone says anything, I will not hesitate to show them my stoma, shuts them up every time, and usually results in an apology.

Same goes for my handicap parking pass. I do not hesitate to use it, but only when absolutely necessary (it's nice to have when I need it), but when my pouch is about to burst, and/or leaking gas and stool, I really don't have time to go looking for a parking spot, especially in a crowded mall. Every second counts before it leaks through to my clothes. To hell with what anyone else says, only an ignorant fool assumes that anyone with a handicap pass must be visably disabled. There are many forms of disability, and there's always more then what meets the eye. My new k pouch has forced me to accept a few new realities, one of which being I am now classified (at least by our standards) as handicapped. I refused to accept it at first, especially with so much stigma attached to the title, but, out of pure necessity, I've learned to cope under that title. I refuse to milk it, and play helpless, after all, I'm still able bodied, and to all the world seem perfectly healthy, but when I'm sick, which is more often then I'd like, I do not hesitate to use the resources designed to aide me when necessary.

I used the handicapped stall when I had UC and still use it. It isn't meant for just those in wheel chairs. I need more room, more TP and time. I also carry several "I can't wait" cards I get one every year when I donate to CCFA. I've never used it but if anyone ever questioned me using the handicapped stall I would whip it out in a heart beat.

No one should be made to sit on a dirty toilet an hovering is hard to to in our condition. Plus there is always the possibly of having one of our explosions and that would make for a dirtier toilet.

Some of us still have a hidden disability when using public facilities.

I also use the handicapped "loos" at times. Yes, they sometimes are cleaner and yes, one has more room to do all the things one needs to do in there. I agree.. we have earned our "stripes" to use the handicapped loos when we want as well as park in handicapped spaces when we want (I too, have a placard.. and yes, I don't always use it, but when I need to, I do) I agree with the woman who said "she earned it." I feel the exact same way. I have other issues than JUST the j pouch and sometimes it gives me a problem and I am very very grateful to be alive as well as to.. be able to use a handicapped spot when I need it and use the handicapped "loo" if I need to.

We should not feel at all odd that we use these things if we are having a bad day, an off day or just require extra space to deal with our way of life!!

i like the.. not all handicapped roll!!

My husband doesn't think I need a handicapped parking pass as he drops me off at the stores doors. I'm getting one as there are times, when he isn't with me, I need to use one. I have other health problems which include neuropathy in my feet and some days I need a cane. Thanks for bringing those up.

With a k pouch I find that regular stalls can be difficult to manage with the tube, lube, syringe, waterbottle, stoma cover etc...so if and when a handicapped stall is free, I go for it (especially if there is a sink in there for me to get water for irrigation and rincing of the tube etc...I don't like putting all of my equipment down on the floor where everyone can see it or it can pick up a whole bucketful of nasty germs...at least in the handicapped stalls I find a shelve or 2 and a place to hook things on...but I agree...I still give priority to anyone with 2 wheel drive...and wait my turn if possible...as for the urgency question...when you gota go...You Gotta Go...and I do!!! I have been known to push to the front of the line screaming in panic...and threatening to poop on someone's feet if they do not give me priority!
That usually works just fine for me...
Sharon