www.incontinentsupport.org

Hello. Respectfully I ask advice. I now came from Japan to United States to be university student. I am paralyzed in wheel chair, I have catheter and collection bag for bladder. Toilet in building where university class occur are too much tall. Bag not reach them so are not available place for throw away urine. American custom are not familiar and proper behaviour important for me. Please, if toilet are not available, where it is appropriate to put urine? Grateful for your advice. Hiroshi.

Hiorshi,

Welcome. Ask your classmates and professors. Most universities here have staff whose job descriptions include making accommodations for handicapped students. Learn where the handicapped restrooms are on campus. If there are clubs or organizations dedicated to meet the needs of handicapped students, join one.

Good luck with your studies and report back as you can. We need your insight and observations.

Hiroshi-san,

In many restrooms there will be a handicapped stall at the far end. Roll down the row of doors and usually the last door will be wider. This is to accept your wheelchair. It should be large enough inside for you to enter then close the door behind you. You will need to back in to the stall, as there won't be room to turn around inside. After this, you will be able to remove your bag and empty it into the toilet which is low enough for you to reach while in your chair.

There is little stigma (shame) in America for your condition. People will be very helpful if you only ask. Few of us understand your limitations, bu all of s are willing to help if you tell us what you need. Welcome to America, I hope your studies go well.

_________________
- Tom

Hiroshi-san,

In the U.S., toilets accessible to wheelchair users are higher than standard ones to allow those who need to transfer from the chair to the toilet and back to the chair to have an appropriate height. I am female and not a wheelchair user, but I know many wheelchair users. Many of them carry with them a plastic container with a closable top to drain their urine bags when there is not an accessible restroom available. If your bag tubing does not reach the toilet, and you cannot lower yourself from the chair, drain your bag into the container first, then empty the container into the toilet. If that is not possible, wait until no one else is in the restroom and rinse the urine down the urinal or sink, or carry the container with you until you can empty it. It's not ideal, but it works.

People usually have a backpack or tote bag of personal items kept on the back of the wheelchair at all times, and you can find some container that fits discreetly with your other belongings. You need not buy a special container. Depending on the size of your tubing, I have known people to use empty soft drink bottles in an emergency.

Good luck.

Thanks you very much for answers. This are very helpful. Office for handicap student try and find toilet for me.

Hiorshi-san,

I Was glad to read that you have enlisted the office whose personnel can be of assistance. Keep us informed, and I hope you will find your experience here useful and rewarding.