Posts tagged ‘bathroom’
#13 for the Restroom Access Act!
Today, Massachusetts became the 13th state to sign the Restroom Access Act into law. Big victory for IBD-ers.
“This bill will provide peace of mind to people suffering from IBD, who will be able to shop without fear of a publicly embarrassing situation,” said Rep. Louis Kafka (D-Stoughton).Kafka sponsored the bill in the House and led an eight-year effort to get it enacted. He introduced the legislation at the request of a constituent, Canton attorney Jonathan Rutley, who drafted the measure for his 17-year-old daughter and ulcerative colitis patient, Catherine (Catie).
For those who are not familiar with it, the Restroom Access Act (also known as Ally’s Law) requires retail establishments that do not have a public restroom to allow people with IBD, IBS, other chronic conditions, and pregnant women access to employee restrooms. As you all know, this is very important for IBD-ers. The last thing you need is to be out somewhere that has no public restroom and be denied access and have an accident.
Things to do during bathroom breaks
If you take care of someone with Crohn’s or Colitis, you know that going out to eat is always an adventure. Between finding something to eat for those on restrictive diets (low fiber, low residue, dairy free, gluten free, the diet restrictions are endless…) and timing the all important bathroom trips, going out to eat takes some planning. Since Dan’s surgery in 2011, we haven’t had to deal with the restrictive diet issue much (thank G-d because that was a huge pain in the butt, but I’ll elaborate more on that at a later date) but bathroom trips are part of our regular trips out to eat.
Caring for Crohn's & UC 