Will I get "called out" for using the companion bathroom without a companion?

[snorris49]

If you do get a stare or rude comment - (which you should NOT get) - start talking to your "invisible friend" who is with you.

I will guarantee that no one will say anything more to you. Plus - you will get a great laugh out of it all!

If only they could walk a mile in your shoes......

hehe...love this! What a great attitude, and certainly would make for an interesting trip!

 

[disney212]

Thanks for all the support. Your guys ROCK! On my last visit I was just getting over surgery and needed to use the companion to do things I couldn't do in a regular handicapped stall. My dear DH would come in with me but I am trying to avoid that at all cost until the day comes I have no choice (trying to keep a little mystery in the romance ). Like I said I only had to do it twice during a week's visit. I will hopefully not have to use them but want to be prepared just in case. I will look into the ones at the first aid centers so thanks for the tip as I never thought of that. We are staying at BLT and have a rental car so I do try to go back to the room but sometimes I just can't make it. Keep a happy thought that I don't need to use one. A little won't hurt either.

 

[ppony]

YOU know you have a legitimate need. Shame on anyone who sees you and assumes you don't.

I for one would never think a thing if you or anyone walked out on your own. Do what you need to do.

 

[suz_cute]

I too have bowel issues, and try and find the furthest stall away from the door most times, but many times because of my inability to hold it, I use the handicapped restroom because I need to take off my clothes/clean up, etc. I've had people give me dirty looks, or make snarky comments when leaving the restrooms, and it made me feel terrible. Because I look healthy in every other way, and I'm young, I guess people feel the need to judge. They had no idea I just spent the past 20-45 mins writing in pain with diarrhea and vomiting in public. I used to be really embarrassed by it, but now that I am older (I was diagnosed at 14 I am 34 now), I typically say something back such as : Not everyone's disability or illness is visible to the naked eye. That typically shuts them up and sometimes people even apologize. My advice is use whatever bathroom you can get to the fastest comfortably. To people who don't have to worry about where and when a flare up is going to occur, it's a trivial topic, but for those of us who suffer, we know it affects every facet of our life. Best of luck to you, and I hope your guts behave while you're in WDW.

 

[disney212]

I too have bowel issues, and try and find the furthest stall away from the door most times, but many times because of my inability to hold it, I use the handicapped restroom because I need to take off my clothes/clean up, etc. I've had people give me dirty looks, or make snarky comments when leaving the restrooms, and it made me feel terrible. Because I look healthy in every other way, and I'm young, I guess people feel the need to judge. They had no idea I just spent the past 20-45 mins writing in pain with diarrhea and vomiting in public. I used to be really embarrassed by it, but now that I am older (I was diagnosed at 14 I am 34 now), I typically say something back such as : Not everyone's disability or illness is visible to the naked eye. That typically shuts them up and sometimes people even apologize. My advice is use whatever bathroom you can get to the fastest comfortably. To people who don't have to worry about where and when a flare up is going to occur, it's a trivial topic, but for those of us who suffer, we know it affects every facet of our life. Best of luck to you, and I hope your guts behave while you're in WDW.

Thanks for the advice. Sorry you also have tummy troubles. Sorry you have been suffering so long. I am fairly new to this so I am still figuring out to deal with everything.

 

[cm8]

Like a PP said, "don't worry you are never going to see these people again". No need to worry about what others might say. So hold your head high and enjoy your vacation.

This and Have a great time and please ignore the Tag.. it is not directed at anyone on this thread

 

[Deesknee]

I just want to say I hope you have a magical trip, with no rude people in the way of you experiencing the magic.

I know it isn't as easy done as said to just ignore rude people. I had, and sometimes have a hard time not letting those people get to me. I have an invisible disease. Often I need a wheelchair, but if I don't I walk, usually pushing it, and that gets plenty of comments. My problem is I could need the chair at any given moment, and then not need it 10 mins later, then need it again later in the day and remain in it the rest of the day, or even trip. Unfortunately, people can be rude and narrow minded. DH has made comments such as, I hope you never find yourself understanding this situation. I found great comfort in the words I've read on this disability board. People remind me I need to do what is best for me, and I have the RIGHT to enjoy my vacation as much as someone with no disability. I will say this, I have found WDW to be less critical than other places. Hopefully, you will find you were needlessly worried. Have a wonderful trip, and try not to let other peoples sincere ignorance damper your vacation.

 

[JennyDrake]

I would not worry. I travel on occasion as a companion to a senior with mobility issues and the companion restrooms are easier for her to naviagte. She goes in solo and we have yet to expereince a glare or unkind word.

 

[disney212]

Thanks for not only the tips, suggestions and humor but also for all the support! I am glad there is a place to ask these questions! What did we all do before the internet, ha ha.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Thanks for not only the tips, suggestions and humor but also for all the support! I am glad there is a place to ask these questions! What did we all do before the internet, ha ha.

Actually - that is a GREAT question. What DID we all do before the internet?

A lot more TV & a lot more shopping, I guess.

 

[Tink575]

Even though my DD has a visible need to use Companion Restrooms, we have gotten flack from using them. Sometimes from people outside the room who are waiting who have pounded on the door, asking what was taking so long. Sometimes as we come out, the person waiting will make a comment.
Almost all the comments have been from people with children in strollers - and many have been unkind- "you have handicapped stalls in the restroom. You people need to use those."

I generally use the handicapped stall and have no visible disabilities other than my slowly limping along. I do occassionally need to use the companion restroom, when I get to the point that I have to have the higher seat, or fear I won't be able to pull myself up.

People can be so unkind and I can hardly call my dh into the ladies room to pull me off the toilet. I also have extremely limited field vision, scoliosis, neuropathy in my legs and I could go on and on if ya all have an hour or two LOL.

I think we all need to chill out and if there are remarks say so what, my heart breaks for the kids who have to hear comments though. Perhaps all you can say is that some people need to mind their manners and are not polite.

Sue thank you so much for your kind encouragement of the folks here. I read your posts all the time and you are truly appreciated.

 

[uncspin]

You have to do what you need to do to enjoy your experience. While it isn't the same thing, my husband uses an electric wheelchair. We often use the companion restroom. I go in, do my business, then wait outside while he finishes his business. We've never had anything said to us.

 

[ZPT1022]

Like everyone else has said, go for it, use it, and don't feel bad. I have ulcerative colitis so I have been there too. We just got back and while I usually used the regular handicapped stalls, I did use the companion restroom a few times when I needed the bathroom NOW and that was closer with no line. Typically I use the regular handicapped stall, due to knee damage and pain, as well as nerve damage in my leg and back. This past trip I also had a broken ankle and I had fallen and torn a bunch of stuff in my knee, so I had a removable ankle cast and one of those huge knee braces with the metal supports in the sides. Most people don't say anything when you say you are waiting for a handicapped stall but a few actually looked at me and said "Why?". I hiked my skirt up and let one particularly snarky lady see my ankle-thigh cast/brace setup and she was like....oohh, sorry. People who are going to judge, are going to judge. It is what it is and those people aren't worth getting bent out of shape over. Go and enjoy your trip!!

 

[DOREEN1779]

Don't worry about it and enjoy your vacation. A disability can be non-visual or visual but it is still a disability. Most people who have no disability are not even aware of companion bathrooms. The people who know they are there understand and you do not have to explain. Have an awesome trip!

 

[TheElectricMayhem]

"What other people think of you is none of your business."

I live by that-I have an autistic kid and I'm always worried about what people are thinking of him, what they're thinking of my parenting, until a friend said that to me. She's so right. And if someone confronts you, "My bathroom choices are not your business" is a perfectly acceptable answer.

 

[Sparkly]

I've only ever used a companion restroom once. I made absolutely sure nobody else was around and popped in for 30 seconds because I needed a bit more privacy then in the regular restrooms. If anyone questioned me on it, I would simply tell them to mind their own business.

And at home I've used the bigger handicapped stalls when I've needed more space due to a IBS attack. Granted, only at college where the bathrooms were generally not busy anyway.

 

[disney212]

"What other people think of you is none of your business."

I live by that-I have an autistic kid and I'm always worried about what people are thinking of him, what they're thinking of my parenting, until a friend said that to me. She's so right. And if someone confronts you, "My bathroom choices are not your business" is a perfectly acceptable answer.

I love that! I think I could do it for my kid but am not that brave for myself yet. Thanks for the support.

 

[disney212]

The words of encouragement are giving me courage. The whole reason I made the OP is that I was reading another thread on this forum where a poster said they call folks out for using the companion restrooms when they don't appear to have a disability or companion. I have never used them unless necessary and to be honest I didn't think twice about it at the time until I read that post. I just wanted to see if it were common since we are going at a crowded time of the year. Being new to having to use the companion restrooms on occassion and still being a bit embarrassed about the surgeries and such I was afraid if someone would say that to me I would be mortified. I am getting more comfy with how my condition affects my body. I always try to see the best in people. I don't think twice if I see a non visible handicapped person coming out of a handicapped stall and I never have. To be honest I was just shocked that someone would be so brazen to be the judge and juror of others. I am glad that I am not the only person out there and I think that I may ask them who made them the holder of the keys to the kingdom toilets! Keep the good suggestions and support coming. No one knows when this issue could affect them or a loved one but I pray they never had to worry about an issue such as this.

 

[blondietink]

I can see both sides of the issue. You have the perfect right to use whatever bathroom is necessary. As the mom of a 22 year old male who uses a wheelchair and cannot use the bathroom by himself, we use the companion restrooms whever we can. It becomes problematic when a person or persons stay for 20 or 30 minutes in the companion restroom and we have an urgent need. I don't feel right taking my fully grown son into the ladies room with me to use the handicapped stall ..... I get lots of stares. We cannot fit into the handicapped stalls that just have the grab bars and are a little wider. We need the ones with the sink inside also for the extra room. I can't tell you the amount of times I have waited for that larger stall in the ladies room (because there was no companion restroom nearby) while women with small children use it for 20 minutes while people in the line tell me to go ahead, while I say quite loudly that I am waiting for the handicapped stall over and over again.

The solution to the problem? Disney, as well as other public places, need to install more companion restrooms as well as family restrooms.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

Sometimes I live in a little fantasy world and I know this is one of those times but I think it would be so awesome to go into all the unpleasant details if someone questioned it. That would sure put them in their place.