Changing attitudes
Sheila wants better public toilet facilities for disabled son
A Hamilton mum is campaigning for better facilities in town centres — so she doesn’t need to change her severely disabled son on the floor of public toilets.
Sheila Johnstone needs two people to lift Mason (7) out of his wheelchair to lie him on a beach towel on the floor.
Mason has complex disabilities and needs to be changed lying down.
The youngster is registered blind, has diabetes insipidus, an under-active thyroid and problems with his immune system.
“The lack of suitable changing facilities is disgusting in this day and age,” said Sheila, from Whitehill.
“It stops us from accessing our local community, doing everyday activities and going for days out as a family.”
The mum-of-three added: “We have to cut short any trips to make sure we can get back to change Mason.
“The lack of Changing Places facilities is isolating for us as a family.”
Changing Places toilets are different to disabled toilets as they contain specialist equipment including hoists and adult-sized changing benches to allow those with complex disabilities to visit public conveniences more comfortably.
Extra space is also incorporated to accommodate up to two carers.
“I would like to see town centres, supermarkets, retail parks, play parks, holiday parks, tourist destinations and motorway service stations installing these toilets.” explained Shelia (46).
Mason is not alone in requiring this kind of changing facility. It is estimated that a quarter of a million people in the UK cannot use standard toilets.
She is supported by the charity Profound and Multiple Impairment Service (PAMIS), who have a South Lanarkshire base.
They are campaigning for more Changing Places toilets in every town centre with a population greater than 15,000.
Councillor for Hamilton North and East, Stephanie Callaghan, is also backing the cause.
She said: “Sheila recently raised her issues about the lack of suitable facilities for changing her son, Mason, and also introduced me to the Changing Places campaign.
“I was shocked to hear that standard disabled toilets are unsuitable for many of our most vulnerable people — including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, and others with continence issues — and I’m keen to raise local awareness around the need for better facilities here in Lanarkshire.
“I am sure many people will be surprised to learn that families and carers are forced to change children and adults on dirty toilet floors, which presents risks to health and safety.
“PAMIS are already doing some fantastic work around researching and promoting Changing Places toilets and I believe that our struggling town centre businesses could benefit from installation of these fantastic facilities.
“Providing great facilities in Hamilton would really encourage more locals and other visitors, helping boost our local economy.
“I trust the people of Hamilton will share my enthusiasm for promoting our town centre in a way that helps Mason and many others in our communities,” said councillor Callaghan.
Richard Lyle, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, has also promised to raise the matter in the Scottish Parliament.
Carers are forced to change children and adults on dirty floors. It presents a health risk