I was at IKEA. My stomach started bothering me so I made my way to the bathroom. All the stalls were empty except the handicapped stall. Someone was in there. My wheelchair would not even fit through the door of the regular stalls. I waited. And waited. Out came a young gal who had changed her clothes. “Oh, sorry…” she mumbled as she walked past me. I went into the stall and was already upset because I knew it was too late. I had had an accident. My bathroom trip had just become very complicated.
Why? Your legs just don’t work right? Wrong. Actually, sometimes wheeling around in our wheelchairs is the easiest part of our spinal cord injuries. Bowel and bladder issues are probably one of the greatest frustrations for us. It can stop a day’s plans. It can be embarrassing. It can be infuriating. I never go anywhere new without being very nervous about the bathroom situation. Paralyzed bladders and bowels literally affect our lives every single day.
So, how do we handle it? How do those of us with spinal cord injuries take care of our needs?
Watch this video to find out! Thank you for watching!
*By the way, if you need any needs, please visit my website for ABC Medical. I would LOVE to help you out!
Get help with your catheters! <— Click here.
Alicia Reagan 
Once again you educate with respect and dignity! Thanks for sharing….and can I just say, I LOVE your hair!! Stef From: alicia reagan To: comperry@sbcglobal.net Sent: Sunday, September 27, 2015 5:35 PM Subject: [New post] Spinal Cord Injury ~ Are Bladders and Bowels Paralyzed? #yiv0634396389 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv0634396389 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv0634396389 a.yiv0634396389primaryactionlink:link, #yiv0634396389 a.yiv0634396389primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv0634396389 a.yiv0634396389primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv0634396389 a.yiv0634396389primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv0634396389 WordPress.com | Alicia Reagan posted: “I was at IKEA. My stomach started bothering me so I made my way to the bathroom. All the stalls were empty except the handicapped stall. Someone was in there. My wheelchair would not even fit through the door of the regular stalls. I waited. And waited.” | |
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Thank you. You are such an encourager! I have a new hair stylist finally that gets my hair! 🙂 Thank you!
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Send me the levels
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The levels? I’m sorry. I don’t understand what you are requesting.
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Thank you… Once again so informative… I thought the small kits that you could take with you just incase were a great idea. I can empty my bladder so long as I can access a toilet but I am finding that an issue say visiting friends homes ….so the catheter with bag attached would really work in those situations… I live in Australia so must look into what is available here… In hospital they only showed me the self catheters without the bag attached… Your video has given me hope that I would be able to access more places and have more freedom … Thank you so much
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Oh I am SO thrilled to hear that! You may have to pay out of pocket to have it shipped to you from the US, but I am sure they have something similar in Australia. I am just not familiar with their catheter name brands there. Keep digging though! That is the key. It is your care – so it should be your catheter choice! I am so happy these are helping you!
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I found a company in Australia called Coloplast that have the catheter and bag kit very small. I have contacted them to find out who distributes them plus to send a sample. I had not really thought of catheterising when in a difficult situation… When I was in hospital and asked what I should do they said to wear a nappy !!! I was not happy with that suggestion and it shows how little these nurses know about what is available that would have helped me.. So a big thank you … This will help to get me out and about more … Helen xxx
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Wonderful!!!
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Where’s the link to the video?
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It is embedded in this post. Just give it time to load.
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I do not have a spinal cord injury, but have had Muscular Dystrophy my entire life and am a full-time wheelchair user. The older I get, the weaker my bladder, and lest I HAPPEN to have someone with me when the urge comes…well…you know the rest…
Thank you for your transparency. I learned A LOT!
http://www.andraealavant.com
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I am so glad it helped! Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
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I wish the website had a list of products to peruse… I hate having to give my info just to see product details. Is there an actual catalog somewhere, or a list of what free samples are available?
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Hey! I am not sure that they have a catalog, just because so much changes all the time with new kinds and varieties. However, if you let me know what you are interested in, I will be glad to give you some recommendations and then you can look at the brand on the maker websites. Also, you can ask for a specific type of sample that you are interested in if you fill out this form and just let them know.
Thank you for reading!
http://www.abc-med.com/get-your-free-catheter-samples
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