I have lupus. I have the classic skin rash on my face and my joints are bad. I can't bend very well at all, my knees give way. My eldest child has autism, dyspraxia and sensory processing disorder. It had taken us three while hours to leave the house such were her meltdowns today. Child 2 has motor skills issues and child 3 is deaf. They are 7,6 and 5. Going anywhere is a struggle as DD doesn't do change and physical sensation well (although she lives swimming), DS1 has to have everything done for him and DS2 can't hear.
At a huge swimming/sports complex, we used the larger, disabled changing room to change. There were two. As we came out the mother of a child in a big electric wheelchair stopped us and said "you know this is the disabled one?" I said "yes, and not all disabilities are visual." She huffed and walked into the changing room before we had even finished even though there was an empty one next door.
Then her husband said "you know it's only for physical disabilities" and lifted his daughter out of her chair. I said "not all disabilities are obvious" and he snorted. The mum came back out and my husband went and got the rest of our gear, and she said "you shouldn't use this cubicle, use another." My husband said "I'm not going to stand here discussing this in front of our children but some disabilities are invisible." She slammed the door!
Were we actually unreasonable?
AIBU?
to think we were OK to use the disabled changing room
Creasedupcrinkle · 21/05/2016 20:09
Op, I don't know if this thread is making you feel better or worse as although most posters are sensible and understand the issues involved, a minority do not and I'm not sure people like them ever will.
You handled it so well, it must have felt gut wrenching to be repeatedly challenged. I used to explain our situation in similar circumstances but now I think that people have no right to know what my situation is anymore than I do to question theres.
Hope you have a fab day with this firmly in the past where it belongs.
Julius02 Sun 22-May-16 08:11:18
I'm shocked at the poster who said that the father could have lifted the child out of the wheelchair so they didn't need to use a disabled changing room. Really??
I suggest you go back and read the whole post properly. This comment was posted in reply to someone else trying to say OP and her family could have used other cubicles, and was intended to make a point. they weren't actually saying this should happen 
YANBU. they were rude, ignorant, and should damn well know better.
you all should've just glared at them before limping away ;)
but seriously, ignore the one-upmanship and stupid comments - if anyone really wants to know why you're in that toilet, they're welcome to approach you and be educated...!
I have Ataxia EA type 2. Some days I am fine.. more than fine..a martial artist, working full time fine. Other times I can't walk unaided, balance, use a wheelchair and a walking stick. My Ds 2 has autism, LDs and wears splints on both of his somewhat spastic legs. We both have blue badges which we use on bad days.
The LOOKS we have had just parking, legitimately in a blue badge slot.
Even better was when I had a sports car...(admittedly hard to get out of on bad days) People are OUTRAGED that I could have a sports car when I am disabled 
Fuck'em I say!
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