disabled loos

[ohgoodlordthatsmoist]

I am 20weeks pregnant and suffering from SPD, it has really flared up over the weekend and on Saturday I got stuck on the loo in the local m&s eventually managed to heave myself up but think I have caused it to be worse.
Would I be unreasonable or selfish to use the disabled loo in future if I'm struggling and out and about? I was shouted at when 42 weeks gone last time for using the doable loo in a coffee shop rather than climb the stairs, woman argued that if I was able to be out enjoying a coffee I should jolly well climb the stairs and not use loos im not entitled to.

Any thoughts? Do I need blue badge to use them?

Well yes obviously urgency of needing due to ibs or bladder issues but i guess we have got into that disabled toilet mindset where infact they are accsesible (sp) toilets. Sometimes i use them sometimes i dont all depends on whats going on with me at the time.

I've always wondered why the aren't more disabled toilets. What happens if somebody with a disability which requires access to a toilet (with support handles etc) very quickly and the only disabled toilet is being used?

As as i'm aware, I've never received looks or comments when using a disabled toilet for my disabled dd, however I think when people see me using a RADAR key, (especially in my county where you have to provide proof of DLA/PIP to receive one) they see straight away that there must be some disability.

As someone who has spent upwards of 5 years now dealing with a broken/dislocating/fused/generally pretty fucked hip, people that appoint themselves arbiter of who does and does not deserve to use disabled facilities make me sick.

Yes, you'll get a few piss takers and chancers. How on earth can one possibly tell the difference between people in that particular demographic and people who might have some difficulty that is not immediately obvious? Hence all the anecdotes about pompous, high-minded and pigs hit thick individuals setting upon people about to use the disabled big who end up having Crohn's/cancer/MS etc.

Why on earth would you be foolish enough to take such a risk?

I read on here once somebody bought a radar key off ebay because she hated public toilets. I dont have a key (i would lose it) but are a lot of toilets radar keys ive only come across a few

*disabled bog, even!

Things like urgency issues, the op and her mobility are disabilities In the sense they stop their ability to use the normal toilets.

The problem comes when people just nip in because it is the closet toilet, or because they have shopping with them or whatever. But of course because you can't tell you can't judge unless someone actually says that's why they are using it!

I remember an elderly lady apologising to me when she saw me waiting with ds outside the toilet she left. Because she had been abused before she felt she had to explain to me why she needed it - it hadn't even crossed my mind to think she didn't need but I felt sad she felt the need to justify herself.

No anybody can't use them.. YES anybody can. They are provided in order to facilitate people who need that bigger, closer, hand railed etc cubicle, but they are not exclusive in any way.

FFS. Of course you can use them if you have a need - either permanent or temporary- to do so. Use your own judgment and ignore people who judge without knowing what you are going through.

YES anybody can. They are provided in order to facilitate people who need that bigger, closer, hand railed etc cubicle, but they are not exclusive in any way. Believe it or not, they are. Let's look at who they're not designed for: Mums with a baby in a buggy who are quite able to use a loo, people who are out shopping with their families and are in a hurry yet have no additional needs. Children who are quite able to wait and use the lavatories that others use. People who don't actually need them. Said folk really should leave them for those that need them, that would include the op, people with unseen needs, people with children on the spectrum who for whatever reason are unable to use other available facilities. So yes, they're exclusive in a number of ways.
Accessible means accessible to those with disabilities, not accessible to all and sundry.

They are accessible - and anyone can use them. Many places only have one loo, (Pret a Manger, Cafe Nero, all the small local restaurants near me, two of the buildings that I regularly work in), and it is an "accessible" loo with more space, grab rails, a sink, a pull cord etc. It means that there is always a loo that is easier for people to use if they have certain disabilities. It does not mean that everyone else has to wet themselves as the disabled loo stands empty all day.

If someone needs priority then fine. Unless it is a really busy place with huge queues it shouldn't be a problem

Obviously if there is only one loo then it is a shared facility, other than that, they're only accessible to all in your head. Everyone else doesn't wet themselves whilst the disabled loo stands empty because 1) if they have a lack of control, they have a disability, 2) if they have no lack of control they're not going to wet themselves, ergo leave the accessible loo empty for those whose need is greater. It really is quite simple.

It should be simple Dawn but it seems way to many people are too selfish to realise it.

You can buy a radar key from amazon. Use the disabled loo. Sounds like you have good reason,

I mean... do people really question whoever is coming out of the toilet stall? That's more odd than just using it if you need it.

In my experience when the disability loo opens up people who need it pipe up (including women with strollers), and no one has thought twice about giving it to them.

Most people don't, and you obviously cannot tell if someone has an unseen disability. As for women with strollers, again, you cannot tell what difficulties they may have, but if they're using it just because they have a baby in a stroller, that's unnecessary and selfish, unless of course the baby change (as is often the case) is in said loo.

but if they're using it just because they have a baby in a stroller, that's unnecessary and selfish why? Accessible toilets are provided so people who require them can ACCESS them. There in literally no reason on eart why a parent with a baby in pram shoul not use them, or do you expect said parent to leave their child outside the toilet entrance? Our local Tesco is a great example, there is 2 doors at 90 degree angles to each other simply to enter the ladies, followed by a tiny cubicles. Should a baby really be left outside the ladies? No, mum can nip for a quick wee in the disabled, as with most of these loos there is NEVER a queue so no one is taking anything away from anybody else.

Ahh, meadows. Okay, your Tesco is a difficult one, but yes, in a normal loo, with cubicles I expect a mum to take baby with her, and leave baby outside the cubicle if necessary. There are many of us who have done exactly this.
Nobody is going to steal your baby. Nobody.

and Accessible toilets means that they're accessible to people with disabilities, not to everybody. FFS.

and Accessible toilets means that they're accessible to people with disabilities, not to everybody. FFS. haha

People have got too much to say challenging others to use the toilet. People do have hidden disababilites for example my DF has advanced cancer it's gone to his bones he can't manage stairs and he would use the disabled loo he also suffers with bowel problems due to the morphine he takes. He should be able to go out and about like everyone else.

I have and would use the normal toilets and left my baby outside whilst I go unless the baby changing facilities are available which most have a toilet included.

YANBU. My adult DS1 has cystic fibrosis, if the loos are up or down a long flight of stairs he'll use the disabled loo, as he gets out of breath quickly. Yes, he's had people shouting at him. He shouldn't have to whip out his blue badge to prove that he's allowed to use the disabled loo.

I have and would use the normal toilets and left my baby outside never in a million years would I leave my child outside the toilets. Just no. My babies are the most precious thing in the world to me, the idea of leaving them alone in a supermarket/shopping mall/organised event rather than use an EMPTY disabled toilet for 2 minutes is completely bizarre. I would never leave a baby unattended. It's quite unbelievable that people do.

He shouldn't have to whip out his blue badge to prove that he's allowed to use the disabled loo. he doesn't have to??

Nope, not at all.

Even without the SPD, I wouldn't judge you using it if you are heavily pregnant. Might not be a disability, but a good reason as to why you might struggle with a standard loo & need to go quickly

Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people who experience disabilities.[1]

It doesn't mean accessible to all. Here