Disabled nappy changes

I am aware this is a problem from family members but didnt realise how bad. I am in SE London. There is a Changing Places facility in the local shopping centre and cinema, but the next two after that are in hospitals. 3 miles away in opposite directions.

The country park near us has been fundraising and recently had one installed.

Given that public toilet provision in general has gone to shit (pun intended) I think this will be unfortunately an uphill battle.

It is so tough
Local to us in West London we have at least 10 changing places toilets, usually in leisure centres or shopping centres, but I know that is not the norm from speaking to families I work with as a children's physio.
Merlin theme parks (legoland, Chessington etc) all have a changing places toilet, and Butlins at Bognor has one in their new pool - just for suggestions of places which do have in case it's helpful. I have had a moan at Butlins that that there should be another in main entertainment complex as pool closed in evenings, but at least they have 1

It is something people are campaigning for so hopefully things will improve. I've noticed that national trust by me have changing places toilets now and some motorway services.

I was so impressed recently when I saw the local Morrisons accessible toilet. They have a full adult size table, a hoist, toilet that can raise up and down, handrails where needed.

I would love to hear from the 29% of people who said YABU.

Ds 17 is changed lying down. He can do it standing up if there is no other option but he finds this difficult and can become aggressive. We plan outings around changing places and accessible toilets that we know are big enough to accommodate him lying on the floor. He wouldn't cope with being changed in a vehicle.

I don’t know if it helps, but if your 4 year old still uses a pram rather than wheelchair, changing in that laid down might help another few months. I know it’s not a solution, but it keeps him off the floor a while longer

My whole life is planned around the toilet, on the rare occasion I get out. It's impossible. There are few changing places toilets in my county & few open after 17:00 so my options are very limited as I'm hoisted.

Yes, I'm in the same boat with sen 4 year old!

I'm sorry but for some of us that is simply not possible.

I rely on CP toilets for the hoist.

I'm 36 and doubly incontinent. The situation is shit. But better than it used to be.

I am in awe of all you parents. OP I think it's a great thing you're doing to change the situation. Thank you also for teaching me something I was ignorant about. I really hope there is progress made with public facilities soon!

It's shit.isnt it it sorry for the pun my son is severely autistic and Was in nappies until he was 9/10 he's non verbal so at 14 we still have accidents but I can largely. Contain these at home,it's ridiculous at this day and age disabled adults and children are still fighting for their basic rights there should be changing places in every public places

A lot of the larger train stations, a fair few motorway service stations amd even some supermarkets have changing places toilets. They aren't always signposted as such- changing room seems to be one of the more frequent ones I have seen.

On a good day I can manage just about to park my chair outside a standard disabled toilet and walk the few steps to the toilet. On a bad day I need to be hoisted onto the toilet. A CP toilet can make the difference between having a nice day out with my kids or stressing about toilets.

I have more chance of winning the lottery than I do of doing a standing change on my child. He is never going to be able to stand. Luckily our new Motability van will have a hoist and a changing bench in it but we were very lucky to get a grants officer who future proofed the vehicle he will get.

Our local swimming pool is putting a Changing Place in the changing rooms but they won't be including any method of getting a person who is unable to sit unsupported into the water so although I will be able to change him I won't actually be able to get him into the water.

If your ever in Bolton there is a local charity shop called Breaking barriers in the market hall they have a changing area specifically for disabled children .

We have a mobility car but it's just a normal car , Ds, is out of nappies now ,but if he wssent i wouldn't have been able to change him in there

Ds6 is still in nappies he stands up to be changed if he as done a wee but needs to lay down if he's done a poo.
I've not been anywhere that has a changing table big enough for him.
We do have a foldable one but even then don't want to put it on half the toilet floors has their filthy.

My son is 5 in nappies and I change him standing up I find his legs very heavy to hold if he is lying and he wouldn't lie still. At least standing he can watch his videos and it's easier to change him especially when he makes a mess (sorry tmi)

This has blown my mind. Who the hell would be AGAINST this?!
OP like PPs on this thread, this is an issue I’m fortunate enough not to have and have never considered. It must be so difficult for you. 💐

I'm sorry this is your reality, not having this issue it hasn't been obvious to me how much of a problem this is. I can only think of 2 changing facilities I've seen which can accommodate older children and adults. One is at our local leisure centre, the other is at grand central in Birmingham. More does definitely need to be done.

Not sure if this helps, but there is a company called RevoLootion: https://www.revolootion.org.uk/ who have mobile disabled units with adult changing tables and hoists etc that businesses/events can hire.

I appreciate it's not ideal because you'd have to really plan ahead, but if there's somewhere you specifically wanted to take your DC, often if you contact that event (sports event/circus/whatever) and ask if they can arrange a unit so that you could visit on x date, many companies would oblige. Presumably it also looks good for the business because it shows they're being inclusive, and most companies have budgets for such things.

Obviously this doesn't help if you just want to go the the park, but it might broaden other options for you.

When I worked with SEN teens we would change their nappies standing up.