to use the disabled toilet in this situation?

[dolldaggabuzzbuzz]

I took mine and my sister's DCs for a nice day out to the cinema. There was just me and 4 kids aged between 3 and 5. After we bought our tickets I took them to the Ladies toilet, they were all engaged and there were a few people waiting.

I decided not to wait and took the DCs out to the disabled toilet as there was no one using or waiting for it. When we had all finished we were washing our hands when someone tried the door, one of the DCs had unlocked it and this woman in a wheelchair came in with her partner, I said I won't be a minute. She glared at me and muttered some things.

I was really embarrassed that I had been caught out using the disabled toilet and I wanted to apologise to the lady for keeping her waiting (for less than a minute!) but she was really, really angry. The DCs ran out in opposite directions and I quickly said sorry to the lady and as I walked off she screamed "Bitch!" at me. I never turned back to look at her. I don't think the DCs noticed anything!

I was so upset I couldn't get it out of my head throughout the film, and it ruined my day. I don't think what I did was that bad. I thought that woman was really horrible. AIBU?

The Radar Key system exists because people like the OP used the facilities when they had no need to. In order to keep the disabled loos accessible for those that genuinely need them they have to be locked up.

YANBU why cant a disabled person wait and queue like anyone else has to??! She was rude and I would have complained about her!!

Non-disabled people should not make use of disabled facilities even if they are empty. The best way to ensure it is to issue Radar keys.

altinkum, yeah people are mixing up the two things. I'm not sure there is any need for the ones with keys either, but certainly having a wider, more accessible toilet doesn't mean it belongs to disabled people. Especially as most disabilities will have no bearing on using a standard toilet.

why was OP embarrassed then if she was entitled to use the loo

Cher87 sometimes a disabled person can't queue like everyone else, either their bladder is not capable of holding out, they have no bladder sensations so do not know when they need to go, they have a colostomy bag that needs emptying, they have soiled they tenas. the list goes on

Question: If someone has to go and get the radar key, doesn't this add time onto the process too, which would be a problem if their disability was to do with bladder/bowel control?

For the record, I think the OP was being unreasonable to CHOOSE not to wait and by the OP knows she was in the wrong. Also, at the risk of calling the OP a liar, I would be very very surprised if 4 children going to the toilet and washing hands took under a minute. However I agree with Wannabe's points made upthread about certain circumstances.

Blah blah blah Altinkum you are the one bringing complete irrelevant shit into the debate- but what if the OP was a five legged kangaroo? She cba to wait, this is a debate about people choosing to use DISABLED toilets is it not?
To the eejit who said 'disabled toilets are simply accessible toilets' and totallyyyyyyy missed the point- disabled people shouldnt have to wait in a queue because of the buggy pusher brigade who think they 'need' a specific cubicle...

Blah blah blah- the woman made an assumption...what that the OP wasnt disabled? Well no shit Sherlock- she wasnt! Sorry but you are acting as thick as.

slightlymad72, that is true, sometimes a disabled person can't queue like everyone else, but other times they can. Sometimes a non-disabled person can't queue like everyone else.

Some are claiming that the loos belong to those who have a bit of paper saying they are disabled. Nothing to do with them actually having a problem with waiting.

I can see how you'd have felt embarrassed, OP, as the chances were you thought you wouldn't have been inconveniencing anybody. But 4 children and yourself in one cubicle? That's a long time to wait. I've only ever had one small DC at a time, and they'd both spend ages sorting themselves out and fussing over their hands. Then inevitably I'd have to clean up after them as well... No wonder she tried the door, and got angry when she saw she'd have to hang on even longer.

I don't think that anyone is saying that if a disabled person needed to use the toilet they would just push in front of them regardless, but if the toilet is empty, my daughter needs to use it and there is no accessible alternative (ie sinks she can reach, space for her pushchair when she still needed one) then I will use the disabled toilet. There is no way on this earth that I would leave a baby in a pram outside the cubicle whilst I used the toilet, nothing anyone says would convince me otherwise. In an ideal world every public place would have a parent and toddler toilet, but they don't. My child's safety is my priority.

you can buy a radar key for a few quid

Janet- dont bother. Altinkum will start banging on about goodness knows what totally ignoring the fact OP ADMITTED SHE HAD NO RIGHT TO USE THE TOILET AND FELT BAD FOR BEING CAUGHT OUT-HENCE THE LADY BEING ABUSIVE TO HER! Durrr

DingDongMerrilyOutOfSeason radar key is issued to disabled people to carry on them at all time.

Some can queue like everyone else, my DD for one (on occasion) at those times she uses the other facilities and queues, becasue she has enough respect and understanding to know that there will be someone in greater needed of the disabled loos than she is.

Disabled parking spaces are accesible for others Altinkum...and?

My office is in a shared office complex, i have just been to the loo and just noticed the picture and the disabled toilet door. Can someone explain thios to me.

A picture of a wheel chair user and also a woman standing. By the way if the mens if full or not working we are told by the reception to use the dissabled toilets.

Bang your head against a brick wall all you like Gemsy83, it'll hurt you more than it'll hurt me :O

Of course it will Bottle- the saying 'where theres no sense..' springs to mind!

Thanks bemybebe. Are they issues to all disabled people or only those with a condition considered relevent to using public toilets due to size or waiting time?