I have a 16-year-old son, Eric, who has many disabilities. But in his lifetime, he has shown true courage, bravery, inspirational humor and the biggest smile you could ever hope to see. When he looks at me with his outstanding love, I am more honored than I can say. Decades ago, someone like Eric was mostly hidden away, often mistreated and neglected by society. I am old enough to remember, and although many changes have occurred, we have so far to go even today.
Recently, I was forced to change my son on the bathroom floor at the Anchorage airport. If this doesn’t bother you at all, then I suggest you stop reading this. My message will not be well received if you’re thinking this is acceptable in 2023.
My son must work for every simple thing and is probably a harder worker than most adults. He must. He has no choice in the matter. If you are still reading this, you may suspect that changing someone who is disabled on a bathroom floor is shocking and not likely to be safe nor sanitary.
Eric has quadriplegic cerebral palsy with dystonia as well as osteoporosis. He has other medical conditions, and I could give you a list of many surgeries he’s had to endure. Mostly he is at risk for injury and fractures and his body is stiff and awkward. He has plenty of reason to be afraid of being hurt when he needs someone else to take care of him and has had fractures that involved both femurs. Pain has been a constant in his life. He endures when most would just quit.
His body may be impaired, but his mind is brilliant. He is nonverbal but able to use a communication device using an eye gaze system. I wish I could navigate a way to change the minds of those who refuse to see that access to bathrooms in large public places should be standard operating procedure for all. Even for people with significant disabilities.
There is a need that should be considered long overdue. Children and adults with disabilities deserve better treatment than either having to remain in soiled clothing or placement on a bathroom floor. We limit intake for these individuals while traveling out of necessity because we have no safe place to address bathroom issues.
Some states have finally recognized that there is a need and have made special arrangements to meet these needs. Alaska should not be the last awakened state. We need to do better. Especially given that many our disabled require travel outside to meet their medical needs.
Eric depends on me to advocate for him. By doing so I hope this need is recognized so that others too may benefit. He is not alone. He and others in similar circumstances deserve better care than the bathroom floor. Will you help by contacting our legislators and representatives? Will you spread the word for this need?
Even our hospitals do not provide safe changing spaces. I realize this costs money and space, but in the meantime, those who pay the cost are mostly unheard. My son and those like him need your voice and your outrage of this current treatment for such a basic need. I hope this moves the hearts of those who can make some needed changes.
— Judy Edwards
Palmer
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