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I SPOKE AT SENATE TODAY FOR IBD BILL 5046

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Posted 6/25/2008 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Well everyone!!

I did it!!!

It went great.  As an advocate for the Crohns/Colitis Foundation, myself and 4 others were asked to testify before a committee of Michigan Senators to persuade them to pass the IBD BILL 5046.  If passed, this bill will allow crohn's/colitis sufferers earier access to public restrooms.  The bill has been passed in Illinois and a few other states, pending in 12 states and Michigan is considering the bill.  It was to my surprise that anyone would object to it; but the chamber of commerce as well as another organization does not want it passed due to the fear that it will costs business owners to spend money putting in public restrooms in their place of business.  We're not asking that they do that.  All we're asking is that they let us have access to their 'employees only' restroom if they don't want to add another restroom.

The testimonies were all very good; I got a bit emotional talking about my experience and began crying but they were patient with me.  A couple of other testimonials were quite tearful as well. 

I think we were very well received by the senators. 

However, the oppossers did not show up and instead, sent a letter.  I guess they were not brave enough to see us face-to-face to tell us what their objections were. 

In any event, the next step is something I'm asking from all of you in the states.  Please contact your legislation or senators and request that they pass IBD Bill 5046.

Thanks to you all and have a blessed evening.

Posted 6/25/2008 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
I have edited this post. Please remember the forum rules - no advocacy of medical, personal or political causes.

Thanks,

Ivy.

Post Edited By Moderator (ivy6) : 6/24/2008 8:42:52 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/25/2008 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
I met the girl who started Ally's law here in Illinois after having an accident in an Old Navy up in the north suburbs. She was such an inspiration and much older in her speech and manner than her youthful exterior. She's certainly going to go far in life. I'm happy to see others following in her footsteps to get these laws passed. Kudos to you!
Posted 6/25/2008 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
{I have edited this post. Please remember that HW rules do not allow advocacy of political causes - Ivy}


Also, I know the lady who is trying to get it passed in Washington. There is a little more to passing the law than one would think. The retail establishments have to be assured that their businesses will not suffer. (If you look at each states' laws, there are exceptions to access--if there is only one employee in the store, etc)

Post Edited By Moderator (ivy6) : 6/25/2008 6:42:17 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/25/2008 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
In Canada we have CCFC cards and some stores show a sign that you can use the the restrooms, but still not in all places. Very few and far between. Keep up the fight, it is worth it!
Posted 6/25/2008 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for fighting for this cause. I will do my part in trying to get this law passed.
Posted 6/25/2008 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
that is great, I always have a fear about asking to use the bathroom in small places, its like, do you think I was saving it up all day today just to use your bathroom, coz i'd much rather use my own!

I was in the liquor store the other day and all of a sudden just had to go and this woman I thought she was a customer and she came out of the back room and I was like, is there a bathroom back there and she was like there sure is, I would not have made it up to the front of the store to ask, especially if there were ppl in line and then having to cut in front of everyone to ask and to have to explain, I need to know right now......it was just great that it was so easy.

I think if they have a bathroom, they should let us use it. Once when I was little, I was walking home from school and had to pee, well the store I stopped into would not let me use their bathroom (don't remember why) and so I just squatted and pee'd in my pants right there in the middle of the store on their floor, I just could not hold it in any longer. Would they prefer we poop our pants and have it drip down our legs onto their floor?
Posted 6/25/2008 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for going there and doing that! Sounds like a wonderful bill, and it's hard to believe some people are cruel enough to oppose it. I would agree that it would be asking too much to have them build a restroom if they didn't have one. But I see nothing wrong with letting a customer use a bathroom that's already there. Sounds like good business to me, since I tend to go back to the places that treat me well!
Posted 6/25/2008 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for standing up for all of us!!! I had a situation where I had to get off the trolley because I needed a BR so bad. Closest place to the trolley was a visitor information center. I went in explained that I was ill and needed a BR immediately and the lady pointed across a VERY BUSY street to a McDonalds, I started to cry and told her I can't make it, and she finally let me use their bathroom. There was no way I could have ever waited for traffic and crossed that street to get to the McDonalds. Although I was very grateful to this lady and told her so afterwards, she still acted like she was perturbed. I agree with Jen77 businesses that are good to me, get my repeat business.
Posted 6/25/2008 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thank goodness someone is doing something somewhere to help people who already have enough to bare in life. Keep up the flame and hopefully improvements will continue for us . Cheers to the USA !!!! lol gail
Posted 6/26/2008 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
You might be interested in this study that has just been done in Australia.

toilet survey
Posted 6/26/2008 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Ivy, interesting survey, here in Canada we do have cards, I never got one, more reasons just because there are not enough business' that dont give kindly to people running in and out.  I would even take my own TP and pay a buck if I had too.  This is an embarrassing disease.  I go to coffee shops mostly or back door of McDonalds, and sometimes I buy a pop or coffee, just easier than getting bawled out. Glad TLW is stepping up to the plate. Awareness is needed, huge! :-)
Posted 6/26/2008 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
We have cards too. The issue is that businesses aren't recognising them. I'm one of the people the survey mentions who've been forced to walk 200+m to a place that will provide loos.

Do you find that a lot of McDonalds toilets are revolting? I do - will avoid them if I can.
Posted 6/26/2008 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Actually no, Mc Donalds is one of the cleanest, they have spotless bathrooms, they are checked hourly, and signed off, for cleanliness.  Only one Mcdonalds was discusting but it wasnt the bathroom it was the whole place and I was gonna complain but I realized later the new one was almost built right next to the old one. I take disinfecting wipes or antibacterial gel and use it everytime I touch a cart or door.  As a general rule (study done in Canada) only 20 percent of the men wash their hands and women 40% which really surprised me.  Common doors coming out of the bathroom I use papertowels.  Have to be careful not matter where go.  But when you gotta go, you gotta go, could be worse could be in your pants!  LOL.
Posted 6/27/2008 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
ivy6
thanks for the survey.
as far as macdonalds', i think it is one of the cleanest public restrooms when i'm traveling on the road and have to make a quick stop. i find them the cleanest of the other places on the road. (but i don't get out much) LOL
thanks again for the survey.
Posted 6/27/2008 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Boy if I gotta go, I don't care what the BR looks like to tell you the truth. I just quickly put toilet paper on the seat (if seat covers aren't available) and do my business. And I have to agree with the above posts, most McDonald's I have been in have very nice BR's.
Posted 6/27/2008 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I just don't see why it is such a big deal for business to just let people use the toilet. TP and soap is not that expensive.
Posted 6/27/2008 11:29 PM (GMT 0)

FitzyK23 said...
I guess I just don't see why it is such a big deal for business to just let people use the toilet. TP and soap is not that expensive.

I dont know what the big deal is.  Get this...about 17 years ago before I was dx's I had diarreah, so bad, went to a very small town  laundromat and wanted to go to the bathroom,,,, and I mean I only had 5 seconds, or else!  The owners were sitting outside and said "bathrooms are only for customers"!  I was young and stupid and so I ran across the street at a small grocery store and they let me go!  I made it!  But looking back then, could you imagine the mess, that THEY would of  had to clean up?  There was no internet back then, but if I knew then, what I know now.  They would of been boycott because I was in that small town visiting since I was a 6 year old.  What could I have done to their precious bathroom that would destroy their business???? Word of mouth goes a long way.  Now I am not so naive. eyes
Posted 6/28/2008 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
I had an insident not long ago and I was denied acess to ther bathroom because it was for employes only and needless to say I had an accident because of it.When you take people that are not aware of Crohns-IBS they don't get it and the only way for them to get it is to be heard and that is what you did,and I thank you for taking a stand.
Posted 6/28/2008 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Kudos for going in front of the Senate,It really frosts my cookies when i go to use a public restroom in the mall or even some restaurants and see the condition.how in the HE double hockey sticks can people be so dirty,i can only imagine what their homes look like.a card would be a good idea,it would be easier to give that to an attendant than saying please sir,i gotta go poo.I live in Capac,mi and would be interested in getting involved TLW.please send me an email

john
Posted 6/28/2008 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
i live in mass and ally's law is pending here. i did my part and sent letters via email to our local senate. i got 2 responses back, an email from one and a letter in the mail from another.

i highly commend you for going before the senate and speaking about your personal life.
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