Assisting handicapped person to public bathroom

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Nov 14, 2007

Some people suck. You would think it would be obvious that the boy had special needs since you had him in a womans bathroom at his age. I would do the same thing. I would take him into the womans bathroom. I would also take him in even if he weren't blind. My dh takes our 2 year old girl into the mens room all of the time when they are out. She can't dress/undress all by herself yet, but is potty trained. I think thats a better alternative than him taking her into the womens room. I really wish more places had family bathrooms for everyone's comfort, but until then, keep doing what you are doing! I want to smack that lady for you. The nerve!!!

Valanda · Nov 14, 2007

.Isn't it mandatory for public buildings including malls to have handicapped facilities? In Canada they are often combined with the "family room" and so Dad can take his daughter to the toilet without having to take her into the mens room.

I hadn't really thought of it til now, but the place I take him most often "in public" is the huge clinic across town. Nearly every specialist is in this building. While they do have handicapped stalls, they do not have family bathrooms like the mall does. I'm sure there are many people who face this trouble daily when they take their loved ones to this clinic. I think I will bring it up to them that they really should put in a family bathroom.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2007

.Isn't it mandatory for public buildings including malls to have handicapped facilities? In Canada they are often combined with the "family room" and so Dad can take his daughter to the toilet without having to take her into the mens room.

Having three bathrooms, men's, women's and family is not required in the US. But having handicapped accessible restrooms are.

I can understand that one would be uncomfortable with a 17 year old opposite sexed person in the bathroom. I would think a polite "I"m sorry, he's blind and handicapped and a my husband isn't available" would suffice. If not, then it's her problem.

prmenrs, RN · Nov 14, 2007

I would have gone w/the "embarrass the heck out of her" approach. "I'm [sooo] sorry, ma'am. I really have no choice. My son is severly handicapped and unable to go to the restroom alone."

You could develop some other standard responses. Unfortunately, some folks aren't too flexible when it comes to sharing a public restroom w/the opposite sex, and will require a BRIEF explanation.

Sounds like you're doing a great job w/your son. Best Wishes.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2007

politely tell the naysayers, to stick it up their butts.
as you state, your son is blind.
bringing him in the ladies room is much more appropriate than you using the men's room.
some people....
leslie

Well you could use it as a legitimate excuse to see how the other side lives hahaha

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2007

Well, here's the situation. I have a 17 year old son who is blind and autistic. He is operating at about a 2-3 year old cognitive level. Usually when I take him out in public my husband is with me and my husband takes him to the bathroom. Lately tho my husband has been busy and I've had to take my son out just the two of us. I've been taking him into the woman's bathroom with me for years. Yesterday an older woman made a nasty comment about how he should not be in there. I really had not given it much thought. My son is harmless enough and since he is blind he can't see anything in the woman's bathroom anyway. He is not capable of going into the bathroom unassisted. I really would not be comfortable escorting him into the men's bathroom.
So, what is the accepted prtocol for such a case?

That wack jobs who arent happy, like to share their misery with others,

Show them a sign language salute