21 replies to this topic

[rue2you]

[Simba]

I wish our disabled parks were surveilled like that would be so funny seeing people get fines for taking up disabled parking spaces without permits.

[tyvin]

That's great and also how about the perfectly able bodied people using the handicapped bathroom stalls when there are AB stalls available. I swear every time I go to a public bathroom some female is in the handicap bathroom stall. It's always the case that there are many other open stalls but these women feel like they need the room or something. The other day I went into a public bathroom and went to the stall and opened it because it wasn't locked and I didn't see any feet on the ground. Well guess what; it was some 400 lb cow changing her clothes and had her feet up to put on pants. I will never get that image out of my mind. I beleive I screamed but I can't remember. All I can remember is the folds of fat; I thought I was going to go blind. She was humongous Oh well that's my rant. Roll her in dough to.............

[MTB John]

tyvin, on 03 April 2011 - 09:56 AM, said:

That's great and also how about the perfectly able bodied people using the handicapped bathroom stalls when there are AB stalls available. I swear every time I go to a public bathroom some female is in the handicap bathroom stall. It's always the case that there are many other open stalls but these women feel like they need the room or something. The other day I went into a public bathroom and went to the stall and opened it because it wasn't locked and I didn't see any feet on the ground. Well guess what; it was some 400 lb cow changing her clothes and had her feet up to put on pants. I will never get that image out of my mind. I beleive I screamed but I can't remember. All I can remember is the folds of fat; I thought I was going to go blind. She was humongous Oh well that's my rant. Roll her in dough to.............

Same thing at airport toilets too. There in there brushing there teeth and doing there hair. I make a point of knocking now and if I get a response I ask them if their in a chair - or else get out!!

[dangerousdave]

Here in the UK and the rest of europe we have a Radar Key
It's not perfect but it does help keep the doors locked for us to use
I have noticed on my trips to the USA that such a scheeme would help
But I have also noticed that AB's support us by shouting abuse at the stall occupant (Miami)
Also noticed that on another occasion, the stall occupent on seeing me - went back in to make sure the stall was clean (small town park)
Also noted that where there was only 1 stall available...it was suitable for anybody to use (Dallas)

Theres still hope...

Edited by dangerousdave, 03 April 2011 - 11:42 AM.

[Angela250153]

DD the Radar Keys are great in town and shopping centres, but supermarkets are a different story. Especially when it's one of their employees who emerges from the disabled toilet.

[rue2you]

Just recently went on a flight out of Atlanta airport - one of the largest. I decided to use the restroom one more time before our flight. They were large restrooms with two different rooms of rows of stalls. Out of all the stalls (44 to be exact)only 4 were handicap accessible. On the first side I went to (22 stalls)they were both taken up with people in there changing there clothes. I guess fly in one set of clothes and then change to get your baggage? I don't know. Anyway, on the other side, was a huge lady (not handicapped!) that FINALLY came out and the other one? The airport cleaning lady who was talking to everyone in her family on the cell phone! I guess she was hiding in there. She was not cleaning and she was not using the restroom. At least if she was, her feet were nowhere near the toilet and she stood in one spot the whole time so I know she was not cleaning!

I know the amount of stalls because I counted the available ones over and over and over as my blood boiled hotter and hotter. How about I design stickers that say "If you are not handicapped, do NOT use this stall. If you do, and we make a mess, you have to clean us up!"

[andycm]

Worst I had was supermarket toilet. Don't know about others, but takes me a good 10-15 mins to do a self-catheterisation, I got some nasty piece of work, obviously lacking in patience, rapping on the door, shouting, then starting to force the door open, while I'm just trying to let out my bladder!

Oh, and then there was the other ever-present problem. As wheelchair users ARE allowed to have babies, all wheelchair toilets in UK seem to have baby-changing facilities. Lots of ABs seem to have cottoned on to this, and so I turned up at this historical site, just the one wheelchair toilet, and it's in use. After about 25 mins, a perfectly able-bodied woman walks out with her baby, leaving nasty soiled bits on the floor.

Back to original about parking - we do get fined for misuse of disabled spots in UK. Got ticketed myself at supermarket once, just forgot to put up blue badge, accidentally left it in the so-called glove compartment. Explained on phone, quoted blue-badge number and got ticket annulled.

Edited by andycm, 03 April 2011 - 08:22 PM.

[The Black Sheep]

tyvin, on 03 April 2011 - 09:56 AM, said:

That's great and also how about the perfectly able bodied people using the handicapped bathroom stalls when there are AB stalls available. I swear every time I go to a public bathroom some female is in the handicap bathroom stall. It's always the case that there are many other open stalls but these women feel like they need the room or something. The other day I went into a public bathroom and went to the stall and opened it because it wasn't locked and I didn't see any feet on the ground. Well guess what; it was some 400 lb cow changing her clothes and had her feet up to put on pants. I will never get that image out of my mind. I beleive I screamed but I can't remember. All I can remember is the folds of fat; I thought I was going to go blind. She was humongous Oh well that's my rant. Roll her in dough to.............

Haha, your poor eyes. I was in Wal-Mart a few months ago and I was waiting for the handicap stall to open up. An old woman waddles out, and this big Birtha lady tumbles in behind me with her cart (IN THE BATHROOM) and waddles in. There's not a line or anything, but I was there first. You're not even allowed to bring carts in!

I sat there for about 3 minutes listening to her struggle with her cart and fatness then left. Several other ladies in the bathroom were mortified by the whole thing.

Fat ladies and handicap stalls... what gives?

[LaurenP]

The Black Sheep, on 03 April 2011 - 07:58 PM, said:

tyvin, on 03 April 2011 - 09:56 AM, said:

That's great and also how about the perfectly able bodied people using the handicapped bathroom stalls when there are AB stalls available. I swear every time I go to a public bathroom some female is in the handicap bathroom stall. It's always the case that there are many other open stalls but these women feel like they need the room or something. The other day I went into a public bathroom and went to the stall and opened it because it wasn't locked and I didn't see any feet on the ground. Well guess what; it was some 400 lb cow changing her clothes and had her feet up to put on pants. I will never get that image out of my mind. I beleive I screamed but I can't remember. All I can remember is the folds of fat; I thought I was going to go blind. She was humongous Oh well that's my rant. Roll her in dough to.............

Haha, your poor eyes. I was in Wal-Mart a few months ago and I was waiting for the handicap stall to open up. An old woman waddles out, and this big Birtha lady tumbles in behind me with her cart (IN THE BATHROOM) and waddles in. There's not a line or anything, but I was there first. You're not even allowed to bring carts in!

I sat there for about 3 minutes listening to her struggle with her cart and fatness then left. Several other ladies in the bathroom were mortified by the whole thing.

Fat ladies and handicap stalls... what gives?

I guess that goes back to the "if the shoe fits wear it", better yet if they have to " fit into the shoe that fits them" it's a disgrace, I'm with you when it comes to waiting for an AB because they didn't want to wait for a stall to open, guess they feel that if they have to wait so can I. Don't think we'll ever be able to solve that.

[edlee]

If all the other stalls are filled,, I don't have a problem waiting my turn, even for an AB. We all gotta go, don't we? It's the times,, and they are many, when it's the only stall in use, that get to me,, and you're right,, it's usually by someone who is horizontally challenged.
ed

[wheelzoffortune]

I had never heard of the Radar Key thing before, but it seems like a great concept. It'd be nice if they had it here in the States.

Edited by wheelzoffortune, 07 April 2011 - 08:11 PM.

[Mariacc]

Ok..I'm probably going to get a spanking for this.....
(I dont see any spanking Emoticons??!!??)

But here goes......

Being AB, I honestly had No Idea that we should not use the handicapped stalls.

And YES YES YES !!!

I have actually used the stall to brush my teeth and my hair AND put lipstick on AND check my bra straps to see if they are showing....


We have no clue when it comes to what life in a chair is like. We don't know your challenges. We are clueless...unless we know or love someone in a chair.
So yes, I am guilty...and I apologize for those of us that care and are just ignorant.

This thread really enlightened me about some of your toilet and wee-wee challenges.. Next time I will be an advocate for you!!

EVACUATE that stall or Prepare to Die!! HAHAHAHA

Thanks,
Maria

[greybeard]

Without wishing to cause offence, I must say I find it almost incomprehensible that an adult can claim not to know that a "Disabled" toilet is there specifically for the use of disabled people.

Men seem to have no difficulty understanding that they should not use the "Ladies", and presumably you know that the "Gents" sign means that you don't use that facility. What's so different about the "Disabled" sign that causes you to be confused?

Having said all that I'm pleased that you have at last "got it".

[Beautiful]

greybeard, on 07 April 2011 - 11:07 PM, said:

Without wishing to cause offence, I must say I find it almost incomprehensible that an adult can claim not to know that a "Disabled" toilet is there specifically for the use of disabled people.

Men seem to have no difficulty understanding that they should not use the "Ladies", and presumably you know that the "Gents" sign means that you don't use that facility. What's so different about the "Disabled" sign that causes you to be confused?

Having said all that I'm pleased that you have at last "got it".

5 points to you, buddy ;)

[MTB John]

greybeard, on 07 April 2011 - 11:07 PM, said:

Without wishing to cause offence, I must say I find it almost incomprehensible that an adult can claim not to know that a "Disabled" toilet is there specifically for the use of disabled people.

Men seem to have no difficulty understanding that they should not use the "Ladies", and presumably you know that the "Gents" sign means that you don't use that facility. What's so different about the "Disabled" sign that causes you to be confused?

Having said all that I'm pleased that you have at last "got it".

Well I can't argue that logic, at first. But then I thought about it. They do use that same sign in front of shops and restaurants and, despite my elitist tendencies I'm prepared to share said establishments with the masses. I can see how the sign could be taken to mean wheelchair accessible NOT wheelchair only.

[pocahontas]

I must admit i have also been guilty of the same for me its a germ thing but over coming it. Please do forgive us for we truly are ignorant.I fell like a big pile of

[plank]

pocahontas, on 08 April 2011 - 12:12 AM, said:

I must admit i have also been guilty of the same for me its a germ thing but over coming it. Please do forgive us for we truly are ignorant.I fell like a big pile of

Didn't you know that you can catch quadraplegia in those places?

[wheelzoffortune]

Mariacc, on 07 April 2011 - 10:48 PM, said:

Ok..I'm probably going to get a spanking for this.....
(I dont see any spanking Emoticons??!!??)

But here goes......

Being AB, I honestly had No Idea that we should not use the handicapped stalls.

And YES YES YES !!!

I have actually used the stall to brush my teeth and my hair AND put lipstick on AND check my bra straps to see if they are showing....


We have no clue when it comes to what life in a chair is like. We don't know your challenges. We are clueless...unless we know or love someone in a chair.
So yes, I am guilty...and I apologize for those of us that care and are just ignorant.

This thread really enlightened me about some of your toilet and wee-wee challenges.. Next time I will be an advocate for you!!

EVACUATE that stall or Prepare to Die!! HAHAHAHA

Thanks,
Maria

I don't mind if non-handicapped people use those stalls if every other stall is taken. If other stalls are open, then it is a no no.

The thing that really bothers me (as a guy) is when I see guys using the handicapped stall/toilet as a urinal. I've heard so many men say they don't feel comfortable using urinals, so that is why they use stalls. What they don't realize is that wheelchair users don't have the luxury of being able to stand while urinating. We HAVE to use toilets.

You are correct, though. Most people just don't think about it. They don't understand. I can't blame them for that.

[dom]

How do people feel if a walker who uses catheters and gloves for evacs uses a disabled facility,as we know most 'public loos' have wash basins in full view of others and generally never have bins provided? [just curious of the comments]

[greybeard]

dom, on 08 April 2011 - 10:15 AM, said:

How do people feel if a walker who uses catheters and gloves for evacs uses a disabled facility,as we know most 'public loos' have wash basins in full view of others and generally never have bins provided? [just curious of the comments]

In my view, a walker who has to use catheters and gloves for evacs has a pretty severe disability.

[mcferguson]

that video was hilarious!