I'm a T4 and my accident was two months ago. I'm still in the hospital but will be going home shortly. I've been doing my own self caths for a couple of weeks now - my question is one of logistics. I haven't tried it from the wheelchair yet so I'm wondering how you do it in public? I haven't had to get shorts or pants off or transfer to a toilet. Do you transfer to the toilet then pull pants down? Do you do it from the chair? I assume I could figure it all out once I get home but any suggestions would shorten the learning period.

I transfer onto a toilet but it's still difficult for me, I try and make sure I have a friend to hold the chair or pull my pants back up (tiled floor plus wheelchair not pretty!)

It will totally get easier Leah, I was same way.. especially drunk.

Toilets are pain the ass until you get the hang of pulling your pants up good and swift. I used to hook my pants to the seat alot and not understand why it wouldnt work, be cautious!

I'd recommend taking on and off the pants on the potty, just for the hygeine and safety purpose.. you dont want to drag a bare ass back and forth with the potential to land right next to a nasty public restroom floor. Don't fret though, just get up what you can, save a little strength for the transfer back to the chair and finish up there..

Despite this method you will undoubtedly find what works best for you, this is just more or less a tip to keep your ass covered!

I can't get in the chair from the floor, I had difficulties in rehab and it's worse now I'm home. If I fall I'm stuffed! I've been sent youtube clips and step by step picture guides but it just aint happening for me :-(

I transfer to the toilet but before I do, I hook my pants down to mid thigh just by going from side to side in chair a couple times. I then get dressed while on toilet. If lucky, most bathrooms have grab bars that you can go side to side and pull up clothes. If not, then I put my chair on one side as assist if needed. Or you can lean back against toilet back if there is one and go side to side to pull up by using toilet seat as hand push off. I also get dressed every day on the toilet. I initially sit in my chair just enough to get clothes onto legs by putting one foot at a time on opposite knee. I figure if I have to cath on toilet anyway, I might as well get dressed the rest of the way there. I cannot cath from wheelchair as to do so, I understand you need to sit on edge of chair and slouch back against back of chair. My pelvis is tilted to far back to get access that way plus I cannot slouch low back due to hardware from pelvis up to T10. It is early days for you yet. As you get upper body strength and used to daily activities, you will find it gets to be easier and find ways that may be different from other people but works for you. Good luck!

Edited to add that I have been in chair for 17 years and totally could not do the above as new injury! It comes with time and upper body strength. My SCI level is T8.

Thanks. I'll try it on the toilet today. I'll let you know how it goes.

I always transfer onto the toilet (fully clothed) as char said, grab bars do help in getting un and re dressed. I can cath from the chair if I need to (generally happens when I'm out and there is no accessible toilet, I have a supply of the all-in-one cath kits for this very reason) You do need to wriggle to the edge of your chair and lean back, damn female anatomy is not made for easy cathing!. Dressing and undressing in your chair is a matter of practice but it is a skill well worth conquering sooner rather than later. As for public toilets, my advice to you is make sure you clean and decontaminate your hands very well before and after, there is no knowing what you may pick up from your wheels!

Totally agree about cleanliness! I carry sterile antibacterial wipes with me everywhere. I don't like getting dressed in chair as I have high profile Roho quadtro and you just sink in it. Wish I could cath from chair but not going to happen, especially after recent surgery to fix scoliosis and surgoen tilted my pelvis backward!

One more question. I've been cathing in bed (still in hospital) and using a mirror. The mirror has a thing on each side to go around your thighs and hold it in place. very convient for home but would be very bulky to carry around. Do you use a mirror?

More than likely you'll stop using that mirror soon and learn to feel your way around down there. It becomes second nature..

That mirror sounds interesting,,..

I was given one of those mirrors way back when I was new injury and used it initially. Just carried in a backpack on back of chair. But I stopped using it at some point and you get used to finding right spot as Ches said by feel alone. Just one of those things that comes with time.