Most people take for granted but for some of us it’s the thing of nightmares!!

Theses days just wheeling out the door its a check list of have we got everything, before hubby Fort Knox the door behind us! kinda reminds me of a new mum packing half the house while muttering away at the baby we’ll take this just in case…that’s pretty much my life!! When your planning a lunch or evening out with your girls or a boys get together to watch footie, is your first thought I will have to restrict how much I’m going to drink just incase the toilets aren’t equipped with everything you might need, as the only other option is to hold it in until you get home, unfortunately around 250,000 disabled people have this worry every time they leave their home or even still don’t go out in the fear of having that embarrassing moment!! I’m lucky enough that most of the time I venture out I have a hubby but on those odd occasion I’m with the girls yes I’m watching what I drink. Here’s the sad but real truth… Many disabled toilets in the UK are unequipped, if you need a hoists forget it!! some are to small to even fit a wheelchair in on its own let alone with a Carer, forget trying to adjust clothes (I don’t fancy flashing my knickers these’s days!!) If your capable of transferring yourself try that when the toilet’s to low, as for grab rails they are either badly fitted or not enough, baby changing tables have a habit of just getting in the way.

So what’s needed…

More changing places and what’s a changing place toilet

Changing Places toilets provide

• The right equipment
• A height adjustable changing bench
• A tracking hoist system, or mobile hoist if this is not possible

Enough space

• Adequate space in the changing area for the disabled person and up to two carers
• A centrally placed toilet with room either side for the carers
• A screen or curtain to allow the disabled person and carer some privacy

A safe and clean environment

• Wide tear off paper roll to cover the bench
• A large waste bin for disposable pads
• A non-slip floor

This will help an estimated 70,000 people living with a form of Muscular Dystrophy  in the UK. Can you imagine how many others it will help, we all know someone that’s is disabled or has a disabled child give them your support.  To support and raise awareness of the need for Changing Places toilets, Muscular Dystrophy UK established the #FitToBurst campaign Go have a read of some real life stories including my own at http://www.changing-places.org/real_life_stories.aspx

Kerry x

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