Coco & Izzy

23/04/2022

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10/01/2022

“No matter what I said, she wouldn’t let me use the disabled toilet” – Sharan 💚
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“I have Crohn’s disease. My symptoms can include severe diarrhoea, pain & fatigue. At the time of this story, I’d just had an emergency subtotal colectomy (removal of part of the bowel). I was getting used to using my ileostomy bag, so it could take me 15-20 minutes to change my bag. I felt uneasy about leaving the house.

The first time I left the house after surgery, my bag leaked. I was in a normal toilet. It was dark & I didn’t have water. I had to clean up as best I could with hand sanitiser. It made me realise the importance of disabled toilets to me.

I was getting on the train to go to a festival. I contacted the festival in advance. They were so accommodating. I had a wristband for the disabled toilets, which gave me the confidence I needed to attend.

I went to use the station toilets before catching the train. The attendant was there. I tried to open the disabled toilet, but it was locked. I asked the attendant if she could open it. She said “no I just cleaned it”. I explained I needed it, but she looked at me & said “you don’t look it to me".

Hesitantly, I explained I had Crohn’s disease. She said she knew someone with it too, that they didn’t use disabled toilets & that the normal toilets were spacious enough for me. I explained further that I’d just had surgery & if I’ve leaked, I need access to a sink. She refused again. I was forced to use a regular cubicle.

Sadly, this changed how I approached situations for months. It made me nervous about the festival & put my social life almost to a stop for a while.

My confidence has since grown. To those new to this, or an invisible illness, please use whatever you need to. Don’t bend & minimise your own needs just because of how others look at you or treat you. As hard as these experiences are, the stronger & more confident you become with each one.



IBDesis

30/10/2020

Beautiful tartan & Velvet curtains originally for a 4 poster bed plus back tartan interlined curtain.

29/08/2020

A lovely vibrant Annie Sloan painted desk to cheer up the coming dark months....
A vintage green blanket box for those cosy blankets & throws ready to cuddle up to......just bring on the hot chocolate!

23/08/2020

22/03/2020

Wouldn’t surprise me at all!

Downing Street says Sunday Times report on PM’s aide is ‘highly defamatory fabrication’

15/02/2020

Piano stool painted in Annie Sloan Amsterdam Green & map fabric

04/12/2019

Beautiful day in Essex @ Hatfield Forest