To have used the disabled loo today :(

[peking]

An embarrassing moment.

Was in our public library when suddenly overcome with an urgent need to go (Crohn's - thought it was under control but I guess Christmas has messed things up).

There were two toilets - one disabled which also held the only nappy-changing facility there, and one toilet on its own. The single toilet was engaged so I dashed into the disabled. I took some time as I felt really shaky and couldn't stand up for a few minutes.

About halfway through I could hear a toddler crying on the other side and the father trying to placate him as he needed his nappy changed. The toddler probably had to wait about 5 mins.

When I finally got out the father shouted after me "you're out of order, you're not even disabled!"

How mortifying. I just had to ignore him but felt awful for the toddler. As many MN'ers have probably come across people taking up the disabled/nappy-changing facilities before, AIBU?

[eggandcress]

Very good point CrohnicallySick

www.changing-places.org/the_campaign.aspx

There are lots of families who are unable to go out for any length of time as the toilets are not accessible. There is a campaign for more "changing places' toilets to help them. Link above.

I have to change my 14 year olds ds nappy on the floor of the disabled toilet sometimes. He has been much to big for the changing table for a long time.

[sparklesandbling]

unfortunately crohnicallysick they probably cost lots more money to put in :(

we will be having problems with this soon as dd is now 4 1/2 and getting too heavy for baby table so it will have to be floor etc

[sparklesandbling]

That's a great link eggandcress, will start doing something about this and ask family and friends to join the campaign.

[hazeyjane]

I carry a cut down picnic rug under the buggy for changing ds (3.6) on the floor of the toilet - as he is too big for and scared of the changing tables.

I have been tutted at by a lady with a walking aid, for using the disbled toilet with ds (his sn buggy wouldn't have fit in the standard cubicles and there isn't enough room on the floor of that particular ladies to change him) I guess she didn't realise ds was disabled.

Op - of course you are not be unreasonable to use the disabled loo - you have a disabling condition, and shouldn't have to explain yourself.

[sparklesandbling]

must remember your idea hazeyjane and put under sn chair, great idea! :)

[Bahhhhhumbug]

hazy I always direct tutters to the bird seed aisle if in a supermarket or nearest pet shop if not.

My DGD (mentioned in earlier post , teenager with CF and all related digestive problems was coming out a disabled loo only to be tutted at by a catsbum faced woman who then muttered under her breath 'in your own time'. DGD had earpiece back in (typical teenager) so didn't hear it but yours truly psycho nanny did.

I didn't cover myself in glory but put it this way , I don't think the woman will make same mistake again any time soon.

[CrohnicallySick]

I'm sure the official changing tables do cost a lot of money- however in our workplace we have an adjustable height hospital type bed that has a PVC covered mattress on that we use to change older children, and it's a much cheaper alternative.

The disabled toilet that it is in replaced a single cubicle and separate sink area so while it's larger than the legal minimum size, isn't that large and could easily be considered in new buildings or when doing a refurbishment.

For that matter, our local (council run) leisure centre has recently been renovated and has at least one changing cubicle for disabled people, with a changing table. Wouldn't it be nice if they made the facilities available for the general (disabled) public to use?

[magicberry]

YANBU. Your need was greater IMO. I have many times changed a toddler on the floor of a regular loo. It's not impossible (and not that hard with a standing toddler provided you are able-bodied yourself). You shouldn't feel bad at all.

[Bankholidaybaby]

Yanbu. You have a legitimate reason for using any available loo. People are too quick to judge and assume that if you have no wheelchair, you can't be disabled/disabled enough to park in special spaces, use designated toilets etc..

[confuddledDOTcom]

I agree, NU!

I'm so fed up of the attitudes to disabilities, I'm on crutches and need the space, the height of the loo, the grab rails - I don't need the sinks that are by my knees so I hurt myself using them, really if I was making it up they would put me off! I had to use a cubicle not long ago and fell because I couldn't get through the door, I hit my back quite hard on the wall and was winded, I also set off the autoflush falling and got wet. Sometimes I don't have my crutches on me, if I don't have to walk far I don't necessarily use them or if I'm using a scooter I might leave them in the car, I always get really uncomfortable then about using the loo in case someone says something.

My brother took his son into an accessible toilet once because he had lost his peg - he has a hole in his tummy where they pulled his appendix through to give a flush as he was born with muscles missing and his body can't process poo properly, the peg is the plug on it, sometimes he has a tube instead. He could hear two old ladies having a go that he (brother) didn't look very disabled (he's almost 7 foot and very athletic looking) so he opened the door and shut them up!