Using accessible toilets
I am recovering from Prostate cancer surgery and am now most likely facing lung surgery.
Shortly after my prostate surgery I had to use the accessible toilets in Hueston Station. Unfortunately they were locked with no information about how to have them opened. Unfortunately the delay caused me to soil myself in a very public way. The experience was horrific, worse than being told I had prostate cancer and now lung cancer.
When I complained to Irish Rail they advised me that as I was not actually a customer I was not entitled to use the toilet and that they had no duty of care to me i.e. to open the toilet in a timely manner.
This has really shaken my confidence about asking to use toilets in public places.
Has anyone had a similar experience
Comments
I know. And thank you
I am sorry to read of the difficult and embarrassing situation you experienced. The Irish Cancer Society has a ‘Medical need toilet card’. If you or anyone else reading this post would like to phone our support line or contact your local Daffodil Centre, one of our cancer nurses can post to you our card that you can show at shops and other public places to get urgent access to a toilet.
Our phone number is 1800 200 700 and we are here Mon- Fri 9-5. Our Daffodil Centres are located here: https://www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and-support/cancer-support/find-support/daffodil-centres#locations
I hope this would help you and others in the future.
You said in your post that not only have you been diagnosed with prostate cancer but that you now have lung cancer. I am so sorry to hear this. We would very much like to support you in any way we can with your cancer diagnosis. It must be overwhelming for you. I do hope we will hear from you.
Kind regards
Cancer Nurse
Thank you. I have a card. I have made a complaint to the WRC and have a hearing on the 12th July although depending on my PET Scan on July 3rd may have to adjourn.
I am determined to see this through.
The defence being put up by Irish Rail is unbelievable and very uncaring.
Hello JL, I just wanted to say that I am really sorry for your experience. I think it's disgraceful to refuse anyone to use the toilet. We all need to after all.
I wish there was anything I could say to help you with your confidence. I send you strength and a virtual hug, don't give up. Not everybody is as ignorant as Irish rail.