Embracing the Everyday Challenge
Hey friends! Let’s talk about something we all deal with: bathing. It’s more than just keeping clean—it’s about feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to take on the world. For those of us with physical disabilities, the simple act of bathing can sometimes feel like climbing Mount Everest. Whether it’s needing assistance that isn’t always available or dealing with “accessible” bathrooms that miss the mark, it’s clear we need practical, fun, and uplifting solutions.
I’ve often seen my morning routine like being a part of a gymnastic team if I were ever in a gymnastic team. Not everyone with Osteogenesis Imperfecta has the same situation. Growing up, I didn’t need help of any kind. I would transfer from my wheelchair to the toilet, the toilet to the tub. No problem. My body was capable of maneuvering around various environments.
As a kid, my mom was creative with my bathing. Whenever I fractured a lower limb, I required a spica cast. She’s balanced me over a kitchen sink because she insisted my hair be washed. Even during my hospital stay, she would ask the nurses to assist her as I practically dangled from the stretcher because bathing was vital.
Now, my body can’t slip slide like before. Renting homes takes on another challenge since every bathroom is different. For example, this particular home has a shower with a step and a tile cement wall. It feels like a dungeon. How could I possibly independently bathe here? But I do because I bought two shower chairs and placed them in an L shape. Transferring from wheelchair to shower chair, then carefully sliding to the other shower chair to turn on the water.
Having a physical disability definitely stimulates the creative juices in my life. No more delicious hot bubble baths where I could soak my troubles away. But I have hope that one day, one day…I will bathe like before.
Yet I’m grateful that I am able to bathe every day or even more than once a day if needed. My reality is that one day I will need help in a very intimate yet much needed part of life. If you’re reading this and you’re not physically disabled, don’t feel bad for me. It will happen to you. If it’s not a disability then it will be aging. So read on, perhaps you can help us and your future self.
When Assistance Isn’t Always There: Finding Independence
For now, I continue to be independent when I’m bathing. Yet, I realize that this might not always be the situation. Even when everything is accessible for me, things can go wrong. Once, my sister was visiting me and she forgot that I need the shower head hanging, not in its actual spot. But that is rare. If she wasn’t there to help me, I’d be in a conundrum because I need to feel independent and be clean.
After my last femur fracture, I never fully recovered the strength I needed to get into a bathtub. That’s how I became bosom buddies with showers and shower chairs. Finding the level of safety and comfort that gave me peace of mind was an adventure on its own. But my need to be independent required me to renegotiate the word “independent.” Don’t let anyone define that word for you. I embraced my first shower chair and I continue to consider myself independent. This is the shower chair I use. Click here.
Handheld Shower Heads: Control at Your Fingertips
I love handheld shower heads even when I was able to use bathtubs. I don’t like shower heads that are so high up I can’t dodge the freezing water when the water comes out. Handheld shower heads might not be the best option if you don’t have the ability to hold it. But if you do, look for one that is long enough for you to reach all areas of your body. Once I bought a handheld shower head that was ridiculously too short. I couldn’t even point it at my face.
If someone else is helping you bathe, the extra long handheld shower heads are fantastic. The different settings help my body relax too. It’s excellent when I’m dealing with a severe cold. I don’t know why. But it helps. I love the ones that remove harsh chemicals in the water. Now I’m interested in getting this one by Cobbe. Click here to see it. If you have one, which one is your favorite?
No gear in the world can replace caregivers for some of my physically disabled friends. They depend on them to help them get ready for work, medical appointments, and all areas of living. So when they go missing action on bathing days, it’s a big deal. Notice I said bathing days. That’s because not every caregiver bathes the person. I can’t imagine not being in control of my bathing routine. Yet that happens in our country and in many other countries.
Personal Care Attendants Help in Bathing
Physically disabled people can have lifts, accessible tubs, shower chairs, transfer benches, and magical handheld shower heads, but without a personal care attendant to help them, what’s the point? I’m not an expert in this area. If you’d like to write an article about it for us, please go over to the guidelines. I do know that my friends who rely on PCA struggle when it comes to bathing.
This is outrageous. Our government shouldn’t place one obstacle after another for the disabled community. PCAs are very important. Society needs to do more to ensure that they are paid well, trained well, and provide reliable and quality care to their clients. What do you think? Am I asking for too much?
Travel Troubles: The Not-So-Accessible Bathrooms
My home is now fully accessible, but the rest of the world remains. Universal design is a wonderful concept. It’s not as difficult nor expensive as businesses claim. Do you ever wonder how many people who aren’t disabled ask for accessible room accommodations? Many. Do you know why? Because they are more comfortable for everyone.
Universal design is such that it accommodates everyone. Simple concept yet, people fight it. Don’t.
Nothing is worse than going to a hotel for some relaxation, only to find out it’s anything but. Even if you can get someone to help you into bed, there’s the bathroom. Bathrooms must be accessible. Whether it’s poorly placed grab bars or shower seats that feel like they’re about to collapse, these experiences can be disheartening. Of course, you’re going to speak to the manager about this. Get it resolved!
Call Ahead and Ask the Right Questions
Let’s rewind here. Before booking, call the hotel and ask detailed questions about their accessible bathrooms. Do they have roll-in showers? How secure are the grab bars? Is there enough space to maneuver a wheelchair? This way, you’ll know what to expect and can avoid unpleasant surprises. Everyone’s accommodations are different. As long as the hotel is following the Americans with Disabilities Act in the USA, they’re not obligated to do more. Therefore, it’s important that you listen carefully to what they say they will and will not do.
Bring Your Own Gear
If you’re on a road trip, it might be better to bring your shower chair or other bathing necessities. For example, several friends who weren’t able to bathe because they were healing from surgery or traveling to unaccessible places say that these bathing wipes were fantastic. Click here.
Sometime next week, I will be relaxing at another resort. I promise to take photos and give you a full review, especially about the bathing accommodations.
There has to be a way for us to let society know that bathing is something that shouldn’t be only for some people. It’s for all of us.
Bathing topics won’t go away for us at AudacityMagazine.com. If you have a story to share, let us know in the comments. You can always contact me at nathasha@audacitymagazine.com
I wrote this a long time ago as an example of one of my mornings. Click here.
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