Do you use the handicapped stall?

[missypie]

I use the handicapped stall at work all the time. Only employees are on our floor and in the 23 years I've worked here, we've never had a female employee in a wheelchair. (There are separate, nicer bathrooms on another floor for clients.) I may need to rethink this, however. The other day when I came out of the handicapped stall, an obsese employee was waiting for the stall....I guess it's hard for her to get though the door of the regular stalls. (My poor very obsese aunt recenlty got stuck in a regular stall at Wendy's and the fire department had to get her out!)

I do always leave the handicapped stall open at church, because there are lots of older ladies with walkers, etc.

 

[4greatboys]

I was flamed for this very issue on this board 4 years ago. A handicapped person posted basically what you said the handicapped person told you and I pointed out that often times the handicapped stall is where the changing table is for babies. When you have a child who needs to be changed, what should you do? You have no other choice but to use that stall. This person thought that you should have to change the baby in a stroller or your car if there is only one handicapped stall as a handicapped person might come into the bathroom and need it. Or that if you must change the baby there because you have no access to the above options, you should leave the stall door open so that if a handicapped person comes in they can use the stall and I could finish changing my baby after the handicapped person has used the toilet. Point was that my baby can wait, whereas this person might not be able to 'hold it in' long enough.

Well that is just stupid. I'm pretty sure I know who did the flaming. I have seen this piece of work in action

 

[tasha99]

I always choose the handicap stall if it's available (but I won't wait for it). I get claustrophobic, and I hate public restrooms to begin with. I don't dawdle in them, though, and wouldn't use one for anything other than a quick pee since I know someone might come in after me who needs it asap.

 

[ols386]

I don't see anything wrong with using the handicapped stall if no one else is using it, and if there is not a handicapped person in the ladies room at that time who needs to use it. I think that lady who yelled at you was just being rude and was looking for someone to take her anger out on. You didn't do anything wrong. Like a pp mentioned, handicapped restroom stalls are not the same as a handicapped parking spot. And so what if you were in the handicapped stall when that lady came into the restroom...she can wait until you or whomever comes out, and then she can use it.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

This afternoon, I went to the diner for lunch with a friend, and go to use the restroom. I walked in, and there are 3 stalls, 2 regular stalls, and one handicapped stall. The 2 regular stalls were taken, so I went into the handicapped stall. While I was in there, the people in the regular stalls come out and I guess a handicapped person came in.

Anyway, I go out, and the handicapped woman starts yelling at me, that I should have used the other 2 stalls and left the handicapped stall free. I told her when I came in, she wasn't in the bathroom, the other 2 stalls were taken. She is basically screaming at me that I should have left it open just in case somebody who needed it walked in. I wasn't going to get into a screaming match with her, so I just washed my hands and said the stall is free now. If you need to go that badly, you can go ahead.

Now, I know people could be having bad days, and I want to give her the benefit of the doubt, but come on! I wasn't even in there that long! What was I supposed to do? Walk out in the middle of peeing once I heard the other people leave the regular stall? Or just leave that stall open just in case a handicapped person comes in? If we had come into the bathroom at the same time, I would have let her use it, but she wasn't there when I got to the bathroom, so where is the problem?

A handicapped stall just means that it's handicapped accessable. It doesn't mean it's only for handicapped people's use.

I would have told her politely where to go...

 

[rayelias]

Um, wasn't this the EXACT scenario that was on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" on HBO a couple nights ago?!?

 

[Kath2003]

Sorry but I'm supposed to stand there and be uncomfortable needing the bathroom (or worse, especially if it's a small child) IN CASE someone who needs to use the handicapped stall comes in and has to wait 30 seconds? Now if there's a person who needs that stall in line by all means they can cut in front of me (because that IS the only stall they can use), but why should everyone else have to be uncomfortable 'in case'?

 

[stashbin]

I always use the handicap stall it is the cleanest.

Me too! Whenever I go into the restroom that is my mission...find the cleanest available one and go for it. Also I need to be able to bring my kids in there with me and the 3 of us are not fitting into a regular stall.

What you should have done is to pretend you didn't hear her speaking to you. I always do that when I want to make someone feel dumb.

 

[monkey68]

Unless the OP tied up the use of the stall for 15 minutes or more or left it in an unsanitary condition, the woman who yelled because she had to wait a moment was out of line.

ETA: One thing I recall from posts similar to this... Many people have disabilities that are not visible to others. Although, the OP may be perfectly able, it's just as likely that the woman could have been yelling at someone with a disability that was not evident to her. The woman who yelled was out of line either way.

I didn't leave the stall a mess, she didn't even go into the stall first to see the condition it was in, and I wasn't in there that long. Just to pee and take care of some "female issues". The people in the 2 other stalls left right after I walked into the HA stall, but I wasn't about to pull my pants back up to go into the regular stall just because it was opened up. The wheelchair user came in while I was in the stall, but after the other 2 women left. Honestly, if I wasn't so tired, I probably would have gotten snarky back towards her, but I had just taken an exam, and I really wasn't in the mood for a screaming match.

 

[PigletsPal2]

I always use the HA stall if it's available. I have severe arthritis in my knees and hips and it's difficult to rise from a standard height seat. I had a woman berate me once for using the HA stall (she wasn't VISIBLY hc) and I said "First of all, you have no idea what my HC might be, and second, it's none of your business." Several women waiting in line silently applauded; apparently this woman was being a PITA.

Queen Colleen

 

[monkey68]

Um, wasn't this the EXACT scenario that was on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" on HBO a couple nights ago?!?

No clue, maybe the lady decided to try it and see the reaction? I don't get HBO so I don't get to watch any of those shows.

I've also gotten yelled at before when I was getting gas because I was wearing scrubs. This happened a day or 2 after an article came out in the NY Times about doctors wearing scrubs into the hospital that they commuted in that get all dirty, or whatever. Now mind, I was wearing scrubs because I'm in med school it's a part of the dress code for our physical exam labs, where we practice taking a history and physical exam techniques on each other, so I wasn't getting anywhere near a hospital, or a sick patient. But this guy insisted that I was going to give my patients (which I don't have yet) MRSA because I wore scrubs at the gas station. The gas station manager had to get involved in that one because he was practically threatening me. I always seem to attract the crazies.

 

[jeepgirl30]

I was in a bathroom once that only had 2 stalls. One was flooded and just nasty, the other was handicap. I used the handicap. I'm quick but in the 1 min i was in there a woman in a wheelchair came in. She actually stared banging on the door asking if i need to be in an accessible bathroom. I finished and as i opened the door she started yelling that i was in her way!

I tried to help with the door but she said to get out of her way as I had already been enough of a pain to her.

I was completely shocked and had no response. I just washed my hands and ran!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

No clue, maybe the lady decided to try it and see the reaction? I don't get HBO so I don't get to watch any of those shows.

I've also gotten yelled at before when I was getting gas because I was wearing scrubs. This happened a day or 2 after an article came out in the NY Times about doctors wearing scrubs into the hospital that they commuted in that get all dirty, or whatever. Now mind, I was wearing scrubs because I'm in med school it's a part of the dress code for our physical exam labs, where we practice taking a history and physical exam techniques on each other, so I wasn't getting anywhere near a hospital, or a sick patient. But this guy insisted that I was going to give my patients (which I don't have yet) MRSA because I wore scrubs at the gas station. The gas station manager had to get involved in that one because he was practically threatening me. I always seem to attract the crazies.

Oh for the love of all that is holy, what a crock! My mom works in a hospital lab as a microbiologist and wears scrubs. She does not wear separate clothes to work and change or forego normal activities just in case they get dirty. I have never heard of somebody getting MRSA from a doctor's scrubs. If they are in a high risk situation such as surgery, don't they wear the special surgical scrubs that are put on right before the surgery? People need to get over themselves.

 

[HOGFAN]

yes, in a heartbeat.

 

[goofyernmost]

In many cases, no, they are not. Urge incontinence is a side-effect of many disabilities, especially the ones that can land you in a wheelchair. My mother had real issues with this, and we often had to leave public places and go home if she hadn't been able to make it in time.

My personal rule is that disabled persons get first dibs on the stall IF THEY ARE THERE before I go in. While I do use the disability stall if no one is waiting for it, I make it a point not to dawdle when I do so. I think it is just polite to be considerate of the fact that some people can only use that one stall.

This is a good post that needed to be repeated.

My nephew is autistic and needs help toileting. Either he has to go right now (since he waits until the last second to tell anyone) or it's too late and he's filled his diaper. Either way you'll want to let that kid jump to the head of the line ... an 8-year old's poopy diaper is not anything you really want to witness or even be within a few feet of. Believe me when I tell you this.

I know I'm going to be shot for this but here goes. If you or anyone have a disability that creates a situation where other, non related individuals must bow down to your individual needs...you do not belong there. If you have a bowel problem that causes a situation were your needs outweigh that of another individual then, there is a good chance that you do not belong there.

Many people have disabilities and within those disabilities there are certain restrictions. If, for example, you are paraplegic you have to accept that there is a good chance that you are not going to be able to walk. You have to accept that and adjust your life around that disability. I know we are only talking about bathroom needs here but it still applies. If you cannot control your bowels or bladder than, yes I'm going to say it, you should not be at a public place like WDW. You are a walking avenue of possible contamination that will effect many, many people that you do not even know.

I am sorry that you cannot conform to the extent that is required to fit into a public place, but you cannot. A theme park, is not the place for you unless you have, in place, a system that will not require the sacrifice of others to accommodate your needs. There is a huge difference between willingness to help someone and requirement to help someone.

 

[sha_lyn]

I know I'm going to be shot for this but here goes. If you or anyone have a disability that creates a situation where other, non related individuals must bow down to your individual needs...you do not belong there. If you have a bowel problem that causes a situation were your needs outweigh that of another individual then, there is a good chance that you do not belong there.

Many people have disabilities and within those disabilities there are certain restrictions. If, for example, you are paraplegic you have to accept that there is a good chance that you are not going to be able to walk. You have to accept that and adjust your life around that disability. I know we are only talking about bathroom needs here but it still applies. If you cannot control your bowels or bladder than, yes I'm going to say it, you should not be at a public place like WDW. You are a walking avenue of possible contamination that will effect many, many people that you do not even know.

I am sorry that you cannot conform to the extent that is required to fit into a public place, but you cannot. A theme park, is not the place for you unless you have, in place, a system that will not require the sacrifice of others to accommodate your needs. There is a huge difference between willingness to help someone and requirement to help someone.

WOW...just WOW.... if I say what is on my mind I will be banned for life

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I know I'm going to be shot for this but here goes. If you or anyone have a disability that creates a situation where other, non related individuals must bow down to your individual needs...you do not belong there. If you have a bowel problem that causes a situation were your needs outweigh that of another individual then, there is a good chance that you do not belong there.

Many people have disabilities and within those disabilities there are certain restrictions. If, for example, you are paraplegic you have to accept that there is a good chance that you are not going to be able to walk. You have to accept that and adjust your life around that disability. I know we are only talking about bathroom needs here but it still applies. If you cannot control your bowels or bladder than, yes I'm going to say it, you should not be at a public place like WDW. You are a walking avenue of possible contamination that will effect many, many people that you do not even know.

I am sorry that you cannot conform to the extent that is required to fit into a public place, but you cannot. A theme park, is not the place for you unless you have, in place, a system that will not require the sacrifice of others to accommodate your needs. There is a huge difference between willingness to help someone and requirement to help someone.

I have no interest in shooting/flaming you, but I just want to be sure that I understand what you're saying. So do you think that an older child or adult, who has a condition which requires the use of diapers, should be prohibited from being in public places such as an amusement park??

 

[mickeymedic]

Oh for the love of all that is holy, what a crock! My mom works in a hospital lab as a microbiologist and wears scrubs. She does not wear separate clothes to work and change or forego normal activities just in case they get dirty. I have never heard of somebody getting MRSA from a doctor's scrubs. If they are in a high risk situation such as surgery, don't they wear the special surgical scrubs that are put on right before the surgery? People need to get over themselves.

Agreed. MRSA is spread by skin-to-skin contact. Healthcare workers spread it from patient to patient if they don't wash their hands between patient contacts. It can also be spread if linens or equipment (like BP Cuffs) are not properly decontaminated between uses.

 

[Aristomommy]

I know I'm going to be shot for this but here goes. If you or anyone have a disability that creates a situation where other, non related individuals must bow down to your individual needs...you do not belong there. If you have a bowel problem that causes a situation were your needs outweigh that of another individual then, there is a good chance that you do not belong there.

Many people have disabilities and within those disabilities there are certain restrictions. If, for example, you are paraplegic you have to accept that there is a good chance that you are not going to be able to walk. You have to accept that and adjust your life around that disability. I know we are only talking about bathroom needs here but it still applies. If you cannot control your bowels or bladder than, yes I'm going to say it, you should not be at a public place like WDW. You are a walking avenue of possible contamination that will effect many, many people that you do not even know.

I am sorry that you cannot conform to the extent that is required to fit into a public place, but you cannot. A theme park, is not the place for you unless you have, in place, a system that will not require the sacrifice of others to accommodate your needs. There is a huge difference between willingness to help someone and requirement to help someone.

Wow, I am really surprised by your view. I work with people with various disabilities, and you would be surprised how many people are incontinent. To tell them to stay home and away from public places is unnecessary. WDW is one of the most accommodating places to visit. There are sanitary ways to clean up a diaper or some catheterize for this reason. To say that it contaminates others, is not true. All you need to do is wash your hands or use Purell.

I don't think a disabled person has a "fastpass" to a stall, but what is wrong with showing kindness to a person that may have trouble standing a long period of time or is in a wheelchair? I am glad to have strong legs and a pain free body and my patients inspire me every day by their resilience and a positive attitude despite their adversities.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Someone call for the potty police here?

I use the handicapped accessible bathroom all the time. It's the only one available near the faculty offices, there are no handicapped faculty, and the potty is for faculty only.