[Zee]

I'm newly para and an disappointed that public handicap toilets are just plain toilets which are too small for me to maneuver pants up and down.

What do other women use in order to be able to void away from home?

Do the spill-proof portable urinals work (that you slip under you) without leaking all over your wheel chair? Can you recommend the best one you like?

Thank you. [size=3]

[cdngrl]

i have a in/out catheter i use the short cathters because of cost. i go down to my local hardware store and buy plastic tubing that will fit over the one end (it is relatively cheap .60 cents for a foot) i run it to the toliet or bucket i pull my pants down in my chair and voila! it does take some practice but it works

[Ches]

Handicap stalls are a pain in the ass. I cant climb my ass onto a public toilet yet, I still make a friend help me. Getting my pants off is a complete struggle because I've only got one side I can safely lean too. I try to avoid them when possible.

Occassionally we're out drinking and going to the restroom alone is the better alternative to bringing a drunk friend to help, in the event I do similiar to the Canadian. Just scoot to edge of chair, get pants off, and cath from there. I hate doing it because I'm clumsy and liking to leave the restroom with piss covered pant-legs, but thats simply due to a lack of practice.

This post has been edited by Ches: 25 November 2007 - 05:02 AM

[Nichole]

I think with practice you can probably transfer if you need to. I do it pretty much everyday at school, and i use the in and out kind of caths too. I've never tried "aiming" from my chair because i guarantee i'd be just like Ches and end up with pee everywhere....lol. Good luck finding something that works for you. I swear bathroom issues are one of the hardest things about being in a wheelchair. I hate that i can't use the bathroom at most of my friends houses because the door is always too small

[Justagirl]

Man, I know! How come all bathroom doors are tiny? My boyfriend deals with this all the stinkin' time. He can't even get into the bathroom in my apartment OR my parent's house. Ugh.

[sweetie]

Hi Zee I have mentioned this before but I wear skirts when I am going to be out all day then transfer forwards from my chair straight on to the loo lifting my skirt up then just pull my pants to the side.
There is no problem of struggling pulling anything up, and with your chair behind you helps to keep your balance lift yourself back on and done. Most toilets are the same level has your chair.
Hope this helps

[FRANK6898]

Hi, an answer to your problem would be to cut the required length of pipe needed to reach the toilet from an overnight bag it has the end on it to fit your cathater. I am a male but other than 6 or 7 inches I still have the same problems reaching the toilet as you do. I hope this helps.

[Zee]

Great idea about skirts, Sweetie!
(and thanks to everyone else too)
but how do I get the "chair behind" me?

[sweetie]

Hi Zee I just move my legs open so they hang to the side then wheel right up to the loo put my brakes on then holding the hand rail with one hand and the corner of my chair with the other hand lift myself across.
It does help if you get to the edge of your chair before you wheel right up then your skirt will fall down at the back between your chair and the toilet, then has you lift back your done no adjustments.
It does help to wear a flared skirt though if it's to tight you will not be able to lift it up to the top of your legs. I tried without the skirt first just to make sure I felt okay about it.
Like I wrote it's so nice not having to struggle with trousers when I am out. Hope this helps let me know how you get on

[Zee]

So, in effect, you're on the loo "backwards"?
Brilliant!

[1heart4u]

I use a closed bag system and a knee spreader. That way I can go anywhere and I don't have to worry about getting into a bathroom. I just slide forward in my wheel chair IC and then I empty the bag in the toilet. Skirts are great! I work daily and found the constant battle with pants just took too long. I also tried an extension tubing. That works too IF you can get into a bathroom. Now with the closed bag system I can go into any room with privacy, even the car works too. I guess some women don't need the knee spreader but I can't get my legs apart due to spasms. Mentor has a good bag, and there are several others I have tried that are just as good. They are a little bit expensive but my insurance covers them.
Good luck finding the solution.
1heart4u

[ems]

I now always carry a cath kit with me (lofric hydro kit II), but before those times came, I used to ask my doc for a box of male catheters, and used to have one of those in my bag. Being that they are so much longer than required, that gets you half way, and so you dont have to aim, use the paper tube it cames in, obviously rip both ends open and put the funnel end in the paper tube and direct it as necessary. You then get a ultra long disposable option

Ems