Ally's Law: The Restroom Access Act and How It Works

People living with inflammatory bowel disease may never be sure when a flare-up will occur.

Some people wear disposable underwear just in case. And it’s not uncommon to carry extra undies, a washcloth, towel, soap, and a change of clothing. These should all fit into a tote.

But, is that suitable preparation in case a flare-up does occur?

Will that be enough?

Do you carry supplies with you? If so, what’s in your bag?

Read on to learn more about IBD preparedness. And learn about gaining access to a bathroom card that is undoubtedly helpful during unpredictable times.

IBD essentials and emergency kits

Let’s look at the suggestions Mary Horsley from IBD News has for us, and see if you might want to add more to the stash in your tote.

Mary’s input comes from her own experiences with Crohn’s. She tells us she has an ‘essentials kit’ she carries with her, and an emergency kit she keeps in her car (Mary says it’s actually a bin full of stuff).

The essentials bag Mary carries with her goes far beyond the general list entered above, and stems from her motto, “Be prepared.”

Mary’s suggestions for an everyday IBD kit

An overview of what Mary brings with her are extra clothes, Tylenol, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, and cleansing lotion.

Also, disposable gloves, ziplock bags and plastic bags to hold dirty clothes, used wipes, and disposable undies.

Additionally, out of respect for others, she also totes perfume and bathroom spray.

These are all in a bag she carries with her wherever she goes.

Mary admits, “I find that I really can’t be too prepared.”

On preparedness

As for Mary, she always carries her meds and an up-to-date list of those meds with her doctor’s name and phone number, just in case something goes awry and she needs to be taken to her doctor’s office or emergency room.

Now, that last entry might seem to be a bit ‘overboard’ to you, but what if your IBD goes haywire and you end up with more than your share of rectal bleeding? The kind that leads to significant blood loss?

On that note, Mary also carries a surgical mask (available at drug stores) for use in the doctor’s office or emergency room. As patients in these settings are generally ill, and since those with Crohn’s have an impaired immune system, she wants to protect herself from those germs.

A most welcomed item for an IBD essentials kit is a ‘bathroom access card’ which Mary speaks of in her column.

More about a bathroom access card

This card states you have IBD and that your need for a restroom is crucial and emergent. Ally’s Law, also referred to as the Restroom Access Act, allows people with any type of IBD to use any public or private facilities, to include employee restrooms.

If your request is denied in a state honoring the law, fines are imposed for those who refuse to cooperate with the mandate.

To learn if your state recognizes the law, research ‘Ally's Law’ online. For additional information, search for the Restroom Access Act.

The access card may be ordered online from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation website.

Read on to learn more about IBD preparedness.