Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group
This community is a place where members can discuss current events and weigh in on what's going on in the world.
I haven't written anything on here in a really really long time, but I just had to rant somewhere and I know most of you will understand this.
I was in a store this afternoon when the urge hit to go to the restroom. Admittedly, this store has a sign at the front that says "No public restrooms" but I didn't have a choice or time to ask. I walked to the back of the store where the curtain to the back room was standing wide open, as well as the door to the restroom, so I just waltzed myself right in there. When I came out, one of the "ladies" that works there jumped all over my case. I asked her would she rather clean up a puddle or pile in the middle of the store? She replied "Yes". My mother was even standing there telling her that I was sick, and the "lady" said it didn't matter, no one is allowed in their back room except employees.
I can understand they need security measures in all stores, but this was an emergency, and while she might not have minded cleaning it up, I surely didn't want to stand in the middle of the store and crap my pants. Pardon the language, but I could have used worse.
So to make a long story short, I will be calling the national headquarters of this store Monday morning, their lucky they closed at 4:00 today and I'll have the weekend to cool down. Have any of you run into this situation, and how did you handle it?
I was in a store this afternoon when the urge hit to go to the restroom. Admittedly, this store has a sign at the front that says "No public restrooms" but I didn't have a choice or time to ask. I walked to the back of the store where the curtain to the back room was standing wide open, as well as the door to the restroom, so I just waltzed myself right in there. When I came out, one of the "ladies" that works there jumped all over my case. I asked her would she rather clean up a puddle or pile in the middle of the store? She replied "Yes". My mother was even standing there telling her that I was sick, and the "lady" said it didn't matter, no one is allowed in their back room except employees.
I can understand they need security measures in all stores, but this was an emergency, and while she might not have minded cleaning it up, I surely didn't want to stand in the middle of the store and crap my pants. Pardon the language, but I could have used worse.
So to make a long story short, I will be calling the national headquarters of this store Monday morning, their lucky they closed at 4:00 today and I'll have the weekend to cool down. Have any of you run into this situation, and how did you handle it?
I carry a card from the ms society which has some of the signs written on the back but as soon as I show the front which has Multiple Sclerosis, my picture & something else (can't remember). As soon as I show that they basically see the ms & my photo & more than happy to help & let me into staff toilets. Most times a staff member waits outside to make sure I am ok & lead me back to store (often a maze or around corridors etc).
Definately complain, do it in writing/email making sure you are polite but clear. State you have ms & have no control on when you want to go. Also phone head office & speak to them too.
If this is happening often the other thing you might want to consider is incontinence pads/pants so you don't have to find the toilet in a panic & wont be embarrassed as much too, can always carry spares too.
Unfortunately, we were on a country road. I was cramping so hard that I was crying. We would have just pulled over but the road was kind of busy and there weren't any trees to duck behind. Finally, we got to a country store. I ran in, tars streaming down my face, and asked if I could use their restroom. They refused. I begged. They still refused.
I ended up having a horrible accident all over myself. My poor husband and son had to ride home with me like that. I had nothing to clean myself up with.
So yes, I understand the dilemma.
I personally don't think a MS card would help. My mom is disabled and you can tell just by looking at her (wheelchair). She gets denied restrooms. I've been through three pregnancies and even at 9 months pregnant I've been denied restroom use. And when a pregnant lady has to go, she has to go! Heck, my 4 year old gets denied restrooms in some places because they don't have a public toilet. If someone wants to be ornery about it, they're going to be ornery.
reminds me of ha-- you hear of two couples following each other to a cook out
well the first couple gets there like 3 hours before their friends
their friends pull up- they say -did ya get lost-
no but we sure are tired!!
i bet their were 9 restrooms- with a sign
ha- CLEAN-RESTROOMS!!!-
hope someone smiled!!!
I explained that my friend (who was using a cane at that time) and I both suffered from incontinence issues (mine was due to a botched hysterectomy) and that we both wanted to spend more time in the store and neither of us wanted to make a mess on their floor, so couldn't we PLEEEEEASE use their restrooms?
The manager realized that we were not bluffing. She escorted us to the staff "lounge" where we gratefully resolved our issues (and just in the nick of time, too!) and thanked the manager profusely. She had been standing near the stalls and could tell by the sound that we were both, indeed, in extremis!
Her kindness was rewarded. We were able to stay longer in the store and both purchased a number of books. On the way out, I happened to catch the manager's eye, held up my bulging purchase bag, and mouthed "Thank you!" to her. She smiled back.
I've often wondered whether that issue came up at subsequent staff meetings. There is a time to be firm about rules, and time to know when it is wise to break them.