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the bathroom card?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/4/2018 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
I was given a card back when i was dianosed with this and it basically is a little business card that i can show to any person in a public establishment and they are obligated to let folks with the card use any restroom available.

1. by the time you get the card out and explain it to the people, its already too late in most cases.
2. if you make a mad dash for a "not public restroom" and then show the card afterwards, can you be arrested?
3. if the establishment still refuses to let you use said restroom, then what? I mean who cares. Are you supposed to establish a legal team and call the police and spend time and money going after the place? That seems absolutely stupid and a waste of time
4. Are all employees of public places aware of this law/card? I have never heard of it until i got the card but i have never worked in "public" .....like say a resturant for example.

It seems easier just to never go anywhere again ever. smile
Posted 11/5/2018 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
In the US there are many stories about people who were refused the restroom. Not sure about being arrested unless you actually vandalize the place.
Posted 11/5/2018 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Sadly, you are correct....it IS easier to stay close to the security of ones own bathroom. That's one of the worst things I've found about this curse. Most people just don't understand unless it is them; and I would wish this on NO
one. My stress factor rises as soon as I'm in my car. Thankfully, my wife is most understanding...but I still hate it! I never asked about a 'bathroom card' because, as you stated, by the time to ask, it may be too late anyway. LOL There will be a cure one day....hopefully SOON!!!
Posted 11/5/2018 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
I agree, a bathroom card is pretty useless for people like us for several reasons like you mentioned. Plus, if we show it and they refuse, are we supposed to create a scene and make everything worse haha?

My experience has always been pretty simple.
1) When you go somewhere, be mindful of where the bathrooms are and what types of bathrooms. Meaning, is the bathroom a one person bathroom or a public restroom with multiple stalls? Nothing worse than having to go and seeing a bathroom, only to find it is occupied haha. I've had some close calls waiting.

2) Keep a kit in your car. This is obviously hard/impossible if you come with someone in their car, but I usually always drive for this reason. Some simple things to include are pants (usually jeans since they go with most things, other people keep dress pants in their car for the commute to work), toilet paper, underwear, a garbage bag to dispose of everything, etc. Pretty simple and gives you a piece of mind that I've found helpful when I was really sick. I have never used it, but I am comfortable knowing that I can always run to my car.
Posted 11/5/2018 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
No one is OBLIGATED to let u use bathroom bc u showed a card. In my 32 yrs of having UC I never used card(which is from chrons colitis foundation in New York ). Always planned trips. Had 4 accidents while driving. No fun. Had surgery this year and the UC monster is no longer a worry. No anxiety. No toilet radar wondering where nearest toilet is. Life is good now. Good luck
Posted 11/5/2018 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
No obligation to let you use a private bathroom here in the U.S.
Posted 11/5/2018 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thats about what i figured. Sad.

Glad i am introverted and would rather stay home in most cases.......but you gotta go places sometimes.
You are right.....this is impossible to explain to people. Everyone looks at me like i am nuts and to take some TUMs and move on.

It was refreshing to talk with someone who had crohns a few weeks ago. They were happy to talk about it too because we both understood kind of what each other was going through.
Posted 11/5/2018 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Ally's Law- USA
It varies by USA state. The Restroom Access Act, also known as Ally's Law, is legislation passed by several U.S. states that requires retail establishments that have toilet facilities for their employees to also allow customers to use the facilities if the customer has an inflammatory bowel disease or other medical condition requiring immediate access to a toilet.
Where in force: These states had passed versions of the law: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. A Virginia bill, which would have levied fines of $100 for non-compliance, was shelved due to concerns about exposing businesses to lawsuits, as well as concerns about security and intellectual property.
https://www.healthline.com/health/crohns-disease/restroom-legislation

Internationally
In Australia, the association Crohn's & Colitis Australia (CCA) encourages businesses to support people with such medical conditions by recognizing the Can't Wait Card issued by the CCA. The CCA states:

Crohn's & Colitis Australia (CCA) is inviting retailers, business owners and venue operators to show their support for people with the medical condition Crohn's and colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), by displaying a window sticker recognising the Can't Wait Card in their store.
Other countries including the UK have similar programs of voluntary participation by businesses, one such program in the UK is the Bladder & Bowel Community's Just Can't Wait Card

A card with no country specific indications is available through www.theibdlife.com/access explaining the possibility of legislation and the gravity of the card holders disability and need for restroom access.
http://www.cantwait.net.au/
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