[podg]

I am just finishing my first period since #4. I also have a copper IUD, and there was a heavy day there when I was overflowing/changing protection every half hour. I use a menstrual cup so get my hands bloody during the change.

I was at a (beach)toilet where the mens and womens cubicles are both across from the basins, which are shared. Because of the bloodiness situation I used the disabled cubicle so I could wash my hands without displaying them to anyone.

When I walked out a party of people with visible disabilities and their carers were going by and I was consumed with guilt.

Did I do the wrong thing, EB?

[missjoads1234]

Not really sure why you're asking. Do you want criticism or praise or?

I dont see why it matters what EB thinks.

FTR - if its an emergency as it clearly was and you were quick - there is nothing wrong with what you did.

[PixieVee]

I think what you did under the circumstances is fine.

[Stellajoy]

Pretty sure that having your period isn't a disability.

[Halcyon~]

Was there a sign saying you MUST be disabled to use these loo? And is so did they have a criteria on what they class as disabled?

[Roy G Biv]

I think it's ok too.

[Pompol]

Ive been in exactly the same situation and done the same thing. In fact i did it at seaworld last year during a badly timed overly heavy period and a carer had words with me about it. I apologised but didn't explain, I mean, really - the guy was right, his disabled client/friend/lover/relative's needs are why the loo is there, even if i had explained, my menstrual disfunction is pretty irrelevant to him. There is also a baby change room in the shopping centre in this town where the "parent's" toilet is a lot smaller than a regular cubicle (!!!!) and I've used the disabled toilet across the hall instead, so I don't have to chose between locking my kids on the other side of the cubicle and shutting the door while I go!'

Look, the toilets are there for the disabled. I suspect morally we are in the wrong on this but in practice I'm not exactly sure what else we can do?

[Kitty Fantastico]

Does it matter now? What's done is done. If you feel guilty, try not to do it again. If you felt it was an "emergency" then you had to do what you had to do. I'd forget about it.

eta: I've never used a menstural cup, but couldn't you have wiped your hands clean with toilet paper before washing them?

This post has been edited by Kitty Fantastico: 09/01/2013, 07:03 PM

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

Did I do the wrong thing, EB?

No.

[ubermum]

I am pretty sure some people on here will lynch you for that. As far as those waiting are concerned, they don't know if genuinely needed that toilet or not. For all they know, you could have been changing your colostomy bag. As far as I'm concerned, you needed it, you used it. Why feel guilty?