Toilets from Hell (TFH)
by Betty Engel, HEA Webmaster
People with hypospadias, epispadias, or related conditions usually like to have control over who views their genitals and under what circumstances. They have often suffered from having no control of who sees their genitals, especially when they were children. Of course the doctor visits and surgeries, where strange medical personnel are constantly trooping in to view them for reasons that are often not explained, are often traumatizing. Parents can do a lot to reduce this trauma by restricting access to their child to the fewest number of people as possible, by insisting that medical people talk to the child before the examination, and by requesting that they (the parents) be present, if the child wishes.
Another location where privacy is often limited is the public bathroom. Sometimes there is some comparing going on at the urinals—instant problem for folks with HS or ES. Some folks need to use a stall to maintain their privacy or for other reasons like spraying of urine.
To help bring this issue to the attention of the general public, and especially to people who design and build public bathrooms, we're collecting photos of Toilets from Hell (TFH). Please consider submitting your own photos, if you come across your local versions of the TFH.
What were they thinking?
We like thrones. But in a public bathroom?
I've heard of multi-tasking, but this is ridiculous!
The outside is nice; I can comb my hair. But inside, hm, feels like I'm peeing right on the street. Watch out, Houston, I might hit your feet!