www.incontinentsupport.org

As some people may know, the NFL has adopted a new policy that states fans can only bring in a clear bag, or "clutch" purse to NFL games. I'm a male but in the past my awesome girlfriend has been kind enough to fit a spare diaper in her full size purse I bought for her specialty for that purpose.

The full policy can be found here http://www.nfl.com/qs/allclear/index.jsp#question13 Two points I'm going to highlight:

-What about diaper bags?

-Diapers can be carried in a clear bag. Each member of a family, including children, would be allowed to carry an approved clear bag and a clutch purse into the stadium. That is a quite a bit of storage capacity.

-If I have special medical equipment I need to have with me at all times, where do I put that?

-An exception will be made for medical necessary items after proper inspection at a specified stadium gate designated for this purpose.

The diaper bag is obviously addressing children. I am NOT carrying a spare diaper in a clear bag.

For extended events such as this, I would wear a Dry 24/7, which would not fit in my girlfriends clutch bag.

My question is, has anyone attended an NFL game since this policy was implemented? I could see a security officer being a jerk and saying a diaper was not a medical necessity, since "technically" I wouldn't die without one (although i would feel like I would if I couldn't change )

If I didn't drink anything, a dry 24/7 would probably last the game, but my bladder and kidneys are unpredictable and I might be pushing it. Some days, like today, are a really bad day and I can't even make it 3 hours. Plus, the game could go into OT, and honestly, not having a spare is kind of stressful
Been there, done that, without a spare before and it's something I hope I never have to repeat again. Thank goodness it was fall and I had a sweatshirt to tie around my waist.

Sorry if this is TMI, would really appreciate feedback.

In today's hightened security culture I understand what they are trying to accomplish here. I also see where they are not being fully accomodating to those of us with "special" needs. They are not taking into consideration the potential embarrasement that could come out of this policy for some of us.

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The rational that you wouldn't die without it would be bullshit.

The same could be said about a wheel chair, or a blind man's cane.

consider adding an Abena large booster pad or two...that works to extend the life of even the most husky disposable. yes, it's bulky. them's the breaks.
also, add over a pair or vinyl or rubber bloomers for the final step in leak guarding...extreme, but it works.

innovate and combine products to get you to your goal.

Ski,

you could always consider a different solution altogether - an external catheter and a leg bag. With that, there is only the need to empty the leg bag as it fills and this can be done over a toilet - or even a drain if need be. Leg bags can hold up to a litre and are inconspicuous under trousers. Have a look on the Coloplast site, a company that sends out samples to try too.

You're right. I thought about editing my post and adding that after. I'm sure when the NFL security board brainstormed exceptions to this rule, they thought of the obvious such as wheelchairs or oxygen tanks, but I doubt they addressed adult diapers.

I'm afraid they'll just be like "no, you have to put that in a clear bag" since that is what the general policy says (even though they are obviously referring toddlers and young children)

I've tried external catheters, but since I'm retracted I can't get them to stay on.

I just think it's such bullshit that I have to plan how to work my way around these non-accomidating rules to enjoy the game. It took a while for me to build confidence to leave the house for more than a few hours, and frankly this is just a blow to my self-esteem.

Maybe it wouldn't be an issue at all. I'm hoping someone else has attended a game since this policy was pushed out and could let me know if it was an issue for them. Sandy, aren't you a big Packers fan?

Ski, John is right. Diaper up well enough and you have no worries. I used to plan as short a day as possible because of the worry. But I bit the bullet and now wear two heavy weight night diapers (cloth) and I can outlast any unforeseen situations. I now arrive an hour early and tailgate with friends which I avoided for years. On the way home I can stop for pizza with the guys which I also use to avoid. The day is maybe 8 hours long or better and - no problem, even with 3-4 beers and a bottle of water. I also could NEVER change my diaper in a rest room with 20-30 men in it. I would leave first. if there is a disposable diaper that can do that, reguardless of what it looked like, let me know. Second, it does make a difference if your team is a cold or hot weather team. Here in NE we bundle up very well, so bulk is no problem. If I was a Miami fan - I would be watching the games on TV. Summer clothes and bulk do not mix well. Experiment and try it all. Rules sometimes just can not be beaten. Papa

I just had the chance to fully read the policy and I don't think it will be a big deal at all. Here is what the policy says:

If I have certain items that I need to bring into the stadium for medical reasons and they won't fit in the clear bag, what do I do?

There will be a separate entrance to allow screening of these bags and medically necessary items.

Seem pretty cut and dry to me. You can take in whatever bag you want but you will need to let security in a "separate" line look at the contents of the bag. I agree it is a bit humiliating but it is only one or two officers looking at what you have. Nowhere close to if it was in a clear bag.
My suggestion, take what you need in whatever bag you want(within reason), swallow your pride for a few seconds and then enjoy the game. I can't think of any other way to make it simpler or more fair and still keep safety first.
If the concern is what if a guard argues that a diaper is not medicly necessary it would be as simple as to ask for a superviser to intervene. I can't imagine it would not be seen as anything other then medically necessary.

Rope

I am grateful that I live in a cold environment, actually sort of worked out for the better considering that it makes concealment easier and probably the risk of rashes.

Ideal is a private restroom, which newer buildings and facilities are starting to implement. Barring that, I actually prefer changing in a crowded restroom vs. a relatively quiet once. Reason for that is at a crowded restroom like a stadium there is so much noise and activity in there, no one is going to hear me change over the sound of all the constant water running and flushing. I have to carry the old diaper out in a bag, but there is usually so much going on that no one notices.

With smaller restrooms, there isn't much or any noise, so if someone walks in while you are changing, they'll hear the telltale crinkle. Worst of all are the REALLY small bathrooms with ONE stall, and the person walking in is waiting outside to use it while you are changing.

Anyways, I digress. I researched a little bit more, and I found out that some fans have been getting a bag with a removable opaque lining. So basically, they go into the game with the lining down, then lift it up for security, then put it back down once they are through. So I may just suck up my pride and try to do that through the special medical entrance, because I want to avoid using plastic pants when possible, as I seem to be prone to getting a rash easily.