For those of you who use handicap toilets while there are able toilets availabe

Be forewarned.

This is a really shitty story.

Literally!!

A long time ago when I worked in a local department store, there was a disabled wheelchair bound lady who tried to get to the public toilet, only to find the handicap stall occupied, she had to use a regular stall.

She didn't make it.

When I came in the restroom, our janitor was on her way with a bucket, wearing large rubber gloves.

The back wall of the toilet was completely covered with crap.

The lady came out looking so upset and terribly embarrassed.

Her feelings washed over me, and I pledged then and there I would NEVER use a handicap toilet ever again.

Even though I've had to deal with these accidents with my mother in law, and having had to deal with diapers and such with my children, nothing really prepared me for the reality that faces us now.

Wheelie has had these accidents all too often. Thankfully they mostly happen at home, but we have also experienced harrowing times when we were driving around somewhere, trying to find a bathroom. Finally finding a MacDonalds, and trying to go into the men's bathroom, get him cleaned up, and get out with his dirty clothes, and having to ask the staff for cleaning stuff and a bucket. I wasn't about to have them clean the mess.
One of the other times was when we were lost in Atlanta, trying to find the new IKEA store. We were in an industrial part of town when the urge hit.

I found a building which looked like a business of some sorts, and asked the receptionist if we could use their restroom. One of her older co-workers saw the problem immediately, and she let us use their facilities. Same story. Huge mess, took an hour to clean it all up. I wanted to send that lady a note, but I can't for the life of me find the street or the business. The whole episode was just so surreal.

We always carry a backpack with supplies and a change of clothes, that's not the problem, it's just that sometimes when the shit hits the fan (or the wall) a disabled person cannot get into the large stall, because some perfectly able person feels entitled to use the big stall to go potty, even though there are plenty of regular stalls available.

This morning I was so damn grateful it happened at home. But it is becoming a bigger problem, when my own body is not cooperating, when I can't lift my arm or bend over.

Still, we cleaned up the mess, cleaned the bathroom, changed his clothes, get the washing machine going, and we're were off to the races again.

I belonged to a Yahoo group for Caregivers. I had to stop because the stories I kept reading were so depressing. One thing I learned though is that compared to some folks, we have it very easy. And believe me folks, I do count my blessings. It could be so much worse. It might get much worse, but for now it's not too bad.

Nevertheless, and I am sure you will agree with me, that the handicap bathroom in public places should NOT be used by able people.

You never know when some soul who cannot get to the pot fast enough is going to be in dire need.

And know that I WILL say something to you when you leave the handicap stall, looking perfectly able!!

SGMKJ