In my normal (aka not post op) life I don't have any anxiety about using the facilities anywhere I go. I don't often even use the handicapped stall when I'm out and about and not freshly healing from something. As I started venturing out to visit friends, enjoy family events and so on it became clear not all bathrooms are created equal.
At home I cane wheel right up to one toilet and there's a conveniently located washing machine to brace myself on, beside it. The other bathroom's doorway is too narrow. I pull as far in as I can manage, brace myself on the door frame, lean in and use the counter to lower myself onto the potty. At home I can always choose to just walk in with my walker too.
I'm not usually picky about where I do my business with one exception, I will walk over hot coals to avoid the (SHUDDER) bed pan. I digress when I'm out and about I rarely have my wheelchair and walker. Usually, I just bring my chair erring on the side of caution especially if Riley's with me.
I was was at someone elses's house a few weeks ago. I was able to wheel in and close the bathroom door, but the height of the counter and toilet were different. I was having trouble spinning around. I knocked the paper onto the floor and couldn't bend to pick it up. It was as I was dropping myself onto the toilet seat that Riley barged in and left again without even helping me reach the toilet paper. Sigh. I broke the bending rule because I didn't have a choice.
I managed to do what I needed to do, replace the paper and get out of there, but it was a sobering experience. Just because I can hobble around the house doesn't mean the world's my oyster. Thank God this challenge will fade as I heal.
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