To ask, think before you judge who is using the disabled loo!

Yes it is. Babies and toddlers are not a disability

and if another disabled person was in the parking space they would have to wait too if no more spaces were available.

That still doesn't mean someone who isn't disabled should use the parking space or the toilet.

But if another disabled person was in there ahead of them they would have to wait. Of course they should always be given priority. But if there are five toilets and one is a disabled one and a long queue of people it seems silly that if it is free that it can’t be used.

That's the same excuse some people do use for parking in disabled spaces.

Also, if someone needs to use a disabled toilet, it is very possible that the whole point of them needing to use it is that they can't wait.

It’s not the same though. People are in the loo for two minutes. I’m sure most people can wait that long.

Sure you do.

I don't unfasten, empty, refasten and wash my hands like everyone else. You've really simplified the process. I use a closed bag, not everyone with a stoma has a bag that can be emptied. When I change it I need access to water to clean my skin and more space to lay out what I need.

I actually have so much more to say about why a disabled toilet is needed with a closed or drainable bag but I get the feeling that you don't want to know as you've already made up your mind and I don't have the energy to explain.

You sound like an excellent person 💐

I hate this so much i work in a shop that has a disabled toilet that customers ask for the key for and the amount of young people who feel like they have to explain themselves to me for me to give them the key breaks my heart.

Thank goodness your no longer in healthcare. A stoma is not like 'opening your bowels'
You can get leaks during emptying, if you need to fully change the bag it involves sprays to remove and reapply.
Yes you can get clip on/off ones but the stoma can still empty while you are doing it.

Having a stoma is classified as a disability in law.

One of your further posts you say you've helped to empty stoma and catheters. In a standard toilet cubicle ? No you havent.
You have to wash hands before doing either for infection control which you can't do in public loos.

You don't have a stoma and were telling some people with stomas how simple and easy it is and that they don't need to use disabled toilets.

Why do you think you know better than the people with stomas who are telling you that it isn't that easy and the extra space in disabled toilets plus the sink really helps? Some people with stomas absolutely need the disabled toilets.

When my son first had his stoma, I was given a bag of stuff from his stoma nurse which included a radar key.

Has no one ever told you that when you're in a hole, stop digging? You're just more ill-informed with every comment. How can I put this tactfully. Shut up!

I was responding to a pp who said 'just clip on another?!' Seemingly unaware that if you don't have an emptying appliance you do indeed unclip a full bag and clip on a new one so maybe some stomasplaining is needed.

Anyone with added problems or disabilities will of course need to use accessible facilities, fit people without other problems not necessarily.

Facilities for those with significant problems really are few and far between we should leave them for those most in need.

It's infuriating and it was my son who had a stoma and only for 9 months. I can't imagine how it feels for those who actually have stomas, some for many years.

Stop stoma-splaining to people who have stomas. You clearly know nothing about stomas and I am so glad you don’t work for the nhs any more.

Exactly. A PP said that though.

Yeah I don't think "because no one is using it" is an appropriate reason if you're fully able bodied and fully able to use a normal toilet. It's like saying "no one is using this disabled parking space so I'll park here".

Using the disabled loo because 'no one was using it' is the pits though.

Same. My local shopping centre doesn’t even have a loo in the baby change so the accessible/changing places toilets are the only option for parents with babies and toddlers to use the toilet. Unless I’m willing to leave a 5 month old baby unattended outside a public loo whilst I take my toddler into a cubicle- which, oddly, I’m not willing to do- then it’s use the disabled toilet or piss myself. A very real possibility at the best of times with my pelvic floors. I’ll make no excuses or apologies either.

I use the disabled if the mother and baby is taken up. Purely because of the space, I can't fit them both in the normal tiny cubicles, I would have to leave them outside the cubicle door, which I wouldn't do.
And I don't give a shit if anyone disapproves when I come outside.

I used the disabled toilet when I had a pram with a baby and a toddler. What else am I supposed to do? I don’t barge past anyone waiting. I wait my turn.

A medical condition can be considered a disability in law if it substantially affects day to day life and is expected to last more than 12 months. Pretty sure that would cover many people with IBS or IBD, you don't need to be 'registered disabled' or claiming PIP to 'count'.

That's exactly what I was saying earlier in the thread because so many people were being all "there is no excuse ever to use the toilet without a disability bla blah"

If you are about to wet/soil yourself, then there is nothing wrong with using the disabled loo. It does not matter what the reason is.
No one is going to give you a medal for shitting your knickers because you refused to use the disabled loo.

I think you need to use Google. IBD is considered an invisible disability.

You can actually apply for a “can’t wait” card which will give you access to toilets not generally open to the general public.