Stand Up for Incontinence and Fight Stigma

Potty Training Children without Using Comments That Are Offensive to Incontinent People

2011-08-07T03:45:00.000-07:00

Nothing makes me madder than for people to say that children are now big boys or big girls for using the potty. Why does it make me so mad? Well, because it is so far from the truth.

I find such comments to be offensive. I can understand that parents need to encourage their children during potty training; however, I feel that potty training encouragement can be provided without having to lie to the kids. Yes, telling kids that they are now grown because they are using the potty is a lie. Sure, it is what most normal adults do. But what is not being considered is that there are many intelligent adults who are far from being babies that need to wear diapers to manage a medical condition.

I've potty trained a number of children, and not once did I have to resort to telling them that they are wearing big boy or big girl underwear or stupid stuff like that they are all grown up for using the potty. I've used other motivators. What I've done is as follows:

*Made potty time special by providing toys and books that can only be played with while on the potty.

*Used a whole lot of praise.

*Used potty treats and potty prizes.

*Played potty games to help pass the time and make things a lot of fun.

*Made the bathroom a comfortable place, such as by providing soft andfluffy rugs to keep the kids from having to walk on the cold floor, using a soft toilet seat, and making sure the temperature in the bathroom is tolerable.

I am pleased to say that all the children I've worked with have responded well. I plan to use these methods on my own children also. Never do I want my children to be fed the trash that diapers are for babies only. I want my children to be tolerant of people with all sorts of medical conditions. What's more, I want them to know the truth. I want to be one who contributes to making a stigma free generation. A stigma free generation will make life easier for individuals with incontinence.

The Crisis on the Train

2011-07-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

The date was Saturday July the second. The weather was hot and sticky, though, that did not matter to us. My friends and I were traveling to the National Federation for the Blind convention that was taking place in Orlando, Florida this year. We were excited.

All five of us hopped aboard the train. The group included my friend Tyron, my other friend Tiffany, and Lavonnya and her six-year-old daughter. All was going well, until I discovered that there was a major problem.

I needed to change my diaper. I looked into my bag for the diapers that I had packed to take with me on the train, and they were gone! Immediately, I felt my heart drop into my stomach. I felt myself begin to sweat and get anxious. After all, this was a nineteen hour train ride, and one diaper would not hold me the entire way through. With complete and total urinary incontinence and partial bowel incontinence, it would not even work!

Tiffany noticed that something was wrong. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"Hardly," I said back.

"What is wrong?"

"Um, you know how i need diapers because I am incontinent?"

"Yes," Tiffany said.

"Well, the ones i packed for this trip are no longer there. I think that they fell out of my bag when the conductor made me change seats before we took off. What in the world am I going to do? We are only three hours into this trip! The diaper that I am currently wearing is not going to last!" By this time, I could hear my voice starting to rise, as I began to slightly panic.

"Try to calm down," Tiffany said.

"Calm down?" I asked. "How on earth do you figure I do that? Do you know what is going to happen to me? At any time, the diaper I am wearing could spring a leak if I go too much. Then, what in the world do I do? Things will be worse then. I wonder if they could stop the train so I could buy more diapers." The diapers in my carry on were the diapers that I was to use for the entire week. I'd now have to buy more when I arrived in Florida.

"They cannot stop the train," Tyron and Tiffany both said.

"It is an emergency! I need diapers! Pee will get everywhere and it could get worse than that! Don't you realize I have complete and total urinary incontinence and suffer from bouts of bowel incontinence? Oh, this is going to mean big trouble!"

I took a couple of deep breaths and called my friend Pat on the phone. Pat is a really rational person, and she always has a good head on her shoulders. I was all out of ideas for the moment.

We talked for a bit. She told me that I was going to have to not drink the rest of the time on the train. She also told me to make several bathroom trips an hour. Now that would be hard, considering I have no real knowledge of when I'm going to go. But I figured that I'd have to do whatever it took to avoid embarrassment. Unfortunately, though, I lost signal.

I got off my seat to make the first bathroom break. On the way, I was praying to God. While walking, one of the women came up to me that I was talking to earlier and asked me what was wrong. I figured I'd tell her. What could it harm? After all, she could have a solution.

"Well, I do not know how to really explain this, but I'm incontinent. I can't control my bladder at all. Sometimes, my bowels do not work well, either. It is kind of like what a baby does. I have to wear diapers. I lost all of mine when I moved seats before the train took off. They may have been picked up by now and thrown away. I checked before I got on the train, and they were in my bag. Now, they are not, and I do not know what I am going to do."

"Well, I have some pads for you." She grabbed a few thick period pads out of her purse, wrapped them in a plastic bag, and then handed them to me. I did not want to hurt her feelings and tell her they really would not help too well. I went ahead and took the pads from her, and I suddenly got an idea that would save me. I was going to take the pads and stuff them into the diaper I was already wearing, so it would make the diaper last a bit longer. That would have to work. It would be uncomfortable, but there was nothing else I could do.

I went to the bathroom to do this. I did not use all of the pads because i wanted some others for later. But when I was walking back, something unexpected happened. I ran into an old friend who was also traveling to the same exact place. It was my friend Velma.

"You okay?" she asked.

I proceeded to tell her all that was happening. And she had an idea that I did not think of at all.

"You can fit extra-large baby diapers, right? I mean, you look small enough. I could have sworn you told me that before."

"Yes, I can. I can wear the Loves size six and Pampers size sevens."

"I'm going to go around and look for a mom or dad with a big toddler and ask for a couple of diapers for you to have. I'll explain what is wrong."

"You'd do that?" I asked her.

"Sure. I want you to be comfortable."

"Velma! Thank you so much!"

I went back to my seat and waited. I got some signal, so I called Pat again. I proceeded to tell her what transpired and apologized for losing her call. I explained that the signal was sporadic. She was cool with it. She was also happy that there was a solution. We got a little further than that, and then the call died again.

Velma came back to my seat, and the mom that was giving me the diapers was with her. This time, I did feel a bit embarrassed and could feel my face growing hot, but I remembered that I was an advocate and that there was no need to be embarrassed. It was up to me to set an example.

She is the one who needs the diapers?" the mother asked.

"Yes," my friend said.

"Ma'am, I am incontinent. I cannot control my bladder and sometimes, my bowels act up. I lost the diapers that I had when the conductor made me move seats before the train took off. I know that by now, they have been trashed."

"Well, here you go then," the woman said, as she handed two diapers to me. "This should help you, until you get to your destination."

"Oh, thank you so much!"

"You're welcome," said the mom, and then she walked away.

I turned to Velma and said, "Velma, thank you so much. You really made my trip. I do not feel so anxious about what could happen."

"Hey, that is what friends are for. Besides, Jehovah knows what we need. He takes care of us. He knew your needs, and I just happened to be there at the right time."

That was so true. I prayed during that whole ordeal, and it all worked out.

I went to the bathroom, changed into one of the diapers, and I then walked to the dining car to get my supper. I ate, had a few bottles of orange juice, and settled down to get comfortable. I was so glad that I was going to be able to sleep that night in peace without having to worry about springing leaks or even waterfalls. I was going to enjoy my train ride after all.

I'm Back for Good and Catching Up

2011-07-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

Hey guys:

I know that it has been awhile since I have written to this blog, and that is a horrible thing. My life got kind of hectic, and sadly, the blog took a backseat. But, I am back, and it is for a number of reasons.

1. Sharing my life with incontinence encourages numerous people around the globe. I know because people have emailed me and told me so.
2. I've received correspondences with people asking me about my blog and when I would pick it up again.
3. People need information, such as what I am providing on my blog, because it is rare that such things will be found anywhere else on the web.

With all of that said I'm back and continuing my blog. I will never let this blog take a backseat again; being that I absolutely and positively know that it has an impact on so many people. I owe it to all of my readers to continue to provide fresh content. I will provide fresh content on a weekly basis, if not more often.

Now, I have some catching up to do here. Hmmmm, where to begin?

For starters, I'll start out by updating you on what happened after I switched to my new supplier. I know it was so long ago, but since I said I'd tell you what happened, I'm going to keep my promise.

Things did not go as well as I thought that they would. Kendall diapers are completely out for me. Even the Kendall diapers by that new supplier, Neighbor Care, did not fit me. As a matter of fact, the Kendall diapers were just as bad as the ones I tried before. I do not know who these diapers are designed for, but they are certainly not designed for me. They do not fit my body shape. I do not know whose body shape they are designed to fit because they look so weird and are designed so weird. I mean, most other diapers are not designed in such a crazy way. The only other diaper that I know that is designed so weird is the Wings Choice. I'll never use them again, either. The way the Wings Choice diapers look like they are designed is for those who have a large upper body and a skinny lower body. Wings Choice diapers will not work for people with pear shaped figures or hour glass figures. With all of that said about the Kendall diapers, I switch to a medical supplier who has slightly better choices, but not too much better, and I am now using Tranquility diapers.

I absolutely love to use Tranquility diapers. They are absorbent, fit very well, and they are durable and have the plastic backing that I like. I do not have too much of a problem with the diapers that have the cloth outer cover; however, they have to be made well. I have been badly disappointed by some of the diapers once they have switch to the cloth outer cover because it seemed that once that happened, the quality of these diapers have diminished. But I will say, though, that there are diapers that have not diminished in quality as a result of having the cloth outer cover, and those I will use.

On that note, I look forward to providing you guys, my readership, with fresh content that will encourage and supply necessary information. And as always, feel free to give me your feedback. It is more than welcome.

Concerning the New Diaper Supplier

2009-12-11T12:09:00.000-08:00

I wrote a blog post in MS Word on November 25 that I meant to post here, but business got the better of me. The post reads as follows:

Today, I have officially made the switch from my old medical supplier and went with another one due to what my new insurance policy dictates. This is Neighbor Care. When I talked to them on the phone, I got a really nice lady. She was immensely polite, and her customer service is what I call outstanding! We talked about what they carried, as far as incontinence supplies is concerned—they only have Kendall, and the selection is sparse because they have only one kind of pull-up and one kind of diaper. I told her that I had a bad experience with Kendall in the past, as I tried out a diaper that just completely did not fit my body shape. She told me just to try out both the youth and the small, and when it comes time to order again, I can let them know which ones work best. I took her up on that suggestion, and I agreed to receive both the youth and small.

Now, it is just a matter of seeing my new doctor and getting the prescription. I have an appointment with him today at 3:30P.M. Don’t forget to come back to this blog to see the updates, as I will be giving my opinion on the diapers when I receive them. I will let you know if they are worth your time or not. The lady that I spoke to at Neighbor Care said she has never received a complaint and that people are happy with these diapers, and she seemed pretty confident and believed in her convictions, so we shall see. We shall see if this is the Kendall brand that I had problems with in the past that absolutely sucked miserably and did not fit my body shape properly at all. I can only hope that it is not, though.

I Need to Complain and I'm Entitled!

2009-07-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

Hi people,

It has been a long time since I’ve contributed anything worthwhile to this blog. No worries I’ve not forgotten you people. I’ve just been busy, been under the weather, and all that good stuff. I have a whole lot to tell you guys about these past few weeks; however, I will do it gradually in different posts. But for now, I feel like complaining. Everyone is entitled, right? Well, here is my long, drawn out rant. Brace yourself because it will be a long one.

I hate wearing diapers! If I could get rid of them and be cured, I would! No wonder babies cry! No wonder they freak out. To parents who do not understand, and most do not as they are not wearing diapers themselves and do not know how it feels, change your baby as soon as they wet. Please, I beg you please, do not let them sit in it and get to it when it is convenient for you. I know how horrible it feels, and unlike a baby, I can actually communicate this to you. Diapers are the pits. They are the worse. The only thing I’m grateful about them is that they allow me to lead a normal social life. Other than that, I’d love to be rid of them. I’d love to just wave my finger one time and be rid of this stupid incontinence.

When I have children, I’m going to do elimination communication, which means I’m potty training them from birth. I will never, ever subject my baby to the evils of diaper wearing if it is not necessary. If there is no medical problem present, anybody, even a baby, has any business wearing a diaper, since babies are born fully continent. It is our society that trains them to go in a diaper just to retrain them later. For more information on infant potty training, go to the Diaper Free Baby website. Doing this for your baby is the best thing you could ever do. Not to mention, you will never have to deal with potty training power struggles, as they will only know the potty and nothing different. You will spare your baby the horrors that diapers bring, such as unbearable and painful diaper rash (Most parents, when changing their babies say “I know. I know it hurts. when the baby is screaming bloody murder due to the pain from a diaper rash. I hate when I hear parents say that because they REALLY DO NOT know how it feels. I just want to scream at them that they do not know and that it is stupid for them to say that they do. I can say that, though, because I do know how it really feels, and believe me, diaper rash hurts so bad that it is unbearable for water of any temperature to even come close to the private areas.), infections, and discomfort, marks on the skin that hurt from the diaper pinching, and friction burns. Diapers may be convenient for the parents, but this convenience comes at the cost of the baby, and I don’t feel like that is fair. So, I will again conclude by saying that diapers are evil, and I will not make my baby wear them. If I did not have to wear them, trust me when I say this, I would not. But I do not have a choice in the matter, so I’m up a creek without a paddle and a canoe. My babies do have a choice, if a medical problem is not present, so I’d like to do some self sacrificing and not subject them to stupid diapers. Stupid, stupid, stupid diapers! There is nothing like wetting and soiling yourself and wearing it. Ah! It’s the life! Not!

Whew! I feel better now!

the All New Incontinence Support Group is Here

2009-05-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to announce that the new incontinence support group is here. You can find the group by clicking here. this support group is not only for incontinence sufferers, it is also for caregivers, as well as for those who are open minded and wants to learn more about the condition. I look forward to seeing this group grow by leaps and bounds. It is my hope and my dream that this group becomes the largest incontinence support group on the web!

How to Cope with the Shame of Incontinence

2009-05-11T18:02:00.001-07:00

How to Cope with the Shame of Incontinence
Living with incontinence is very shameful. But take heart in knowing that there are ways to cope.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1390638/how_to_cope_with_the_shame_of_incontinence.html

An Explanation for the Articles

2009-05-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

You are probably wondering why I'mposting very small posts with links that lead to other websites. Well, these are articles that I've written, and I posted the links there so you can read them. since this is an incontinence blog, I thought it appropriate to have all of my incontinence related articles in one place to serve as a resource packed with tons of information.

The articles that i've posted to this blog thus far are ones that I've written about incontinence for Associated Content. I felt that since that site has a large following, what better place it would be to get the word out about incontinence. So far, these articles have had a positive effect. Many of the readers seem to like reading them and feel that they are very informative. this is wonderful, as this brings us one step closer to fighting stigma. While we are a long way from overcoming the stigma, every littlebit helps.

Please, share this blog with all of your friends. Pass it around to as many as possible. the more that read the blog, the more informed people will become about incontinence.

Top Six Most Recommended Adult Diapers

2009-05-11T17:59:00.000-07:00

Top Six Adult Diapers
Are you looking for the best adult diaper to manage incontinence? Why not check out the top six?
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1390592/top_six_adult_diapers.html

I'm Going Backwards

2009-04-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

Being that I’m a fierce advocate who has advocated to millions online about my condition of incontinence and has stood strong in the face of opposition and immense ignorance, one would think that I would be a pro at accepting this whole bowel incontinence thing. One would think that I’d just think it to be a new stage or chapter in my dealings with incontinence if you will; however, this is not the case. I feel like I’m going backwards. I feel like I’m having significant problems coping. Just when I get to a point when I’m feeling comfortable, everything slips away.

As I mentioned in my last post, I never, ever dreamed that I’d be completely bowel incontinent. I never thought that something like that would happen to me. I know others it has happened to, but I did not think it would touch me. It has, and it is, well tragic!

Bowel incontinence really stinks, and yes, the pun was intended as well as there being a description of my feelings about the matter. IFEEL LIKE I cannot really go out and enjoy life as I used to before it all happened. Life before then felt more free and peaceful. Life before then was sunny and bright. Now, life is dark and gloomy, foggy and hazy, as I spend very, very limited time outside the house in fear of having a bowel accident, smelling up creation, and embarrassing myself. My social life is very restricted. I guess it is a good thing that my business and school demand a significant amount of my time, being that I work seventy hours a week and attend five classes online on the University level, as I won’t miss socializing too much and become depressed about my new circumstances. There is not much time to think of it when obligations call for me. Oh, and I did not even think of how I’ll be taking that math class when the time comes, as that one will not be online. To think of sitting in class and having a bowel accident actually terrifies me. You’d think that I’d be brave about it since I’m an advocate, and I am brave. It is just that I do not want to face people ridiculing me and mocking me about the smell, since everyone will know who did it. Gosh! I do not want to even think of that right now.

I’ve always been one to tell others who are suffering from incontinence to go out and enjoy life. I always tell them not to worry about society. My favorite words of encouragement to them are “You are everything and they are nothing.” I even try to tell myself that to help bring me out of the slump. While that is true, there is so much that we, as incontinent people are up against. We are not babies, and we are no grannies and grampus, so society will have no sympathy for us and our need for diapers. It is crazy. You’d think that civilization would be more advanced than this. I feel like we are living in the nineteenth century with these horrible attitudes. It is these attitudes of society that keep millions of incontinent people from living life. It is these negative attitudes that keep people like us in isolation. It is these negative attitudes that keep millions from seeking medical help for incontinence, and I will admit that when my bowels started going, I never planned to seek help because I was too embarrassed. I just planned to stay away from people as much as possible, and when asked to participate in family gatherings, I planned to make up some excuses as to why I could not. I never planned to disclose any of it to my parents or to anyone for that matter. Disclosing such matters to the family, I felt and sometimes still feel, would make me look weak and undignified in their presence. And as for hanging out with friends, I would have come up with something good that would work for a good while, at least until they really started questioning and digging. That was the recourse I wanted to take. But after telling my best friend, the first and only one who knew at the time, he MADE me go to the doctors. He was concerned and upset for me, and he practically drug me there. Needless to say, he was not too thrilled when he heard of my plans to never face the doctor with this issue. I guess, in a way, I’m glad my best friend made me get help.

As for my horrible feelings, I plan to go visit the online support groups to express my concerns with others who have been there and done it. I’m a newbie at this whole bowel incontinence thing, and I need the help and encouragement of some veterans. Some have given me some very helpful suggestions, such as how to hide odor with taking activated charcoal tablets on a daily basis and how to clean up in public, which is so immensely difficult. Yet, I still have a lot to deal with. Only Jehovah God can help me, as I’m afraid that this is too much for me to handle. It hurts…

There May Possibly Be An Explanation for My Incontinence nd other Thing

2009-04-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

There may be an explanation for everything relating to my incontinence that I ever had to endure. You see, I’ve gone to the neurologist just this past Tuesday due to some things that have been going on over the last three or so years, and it turns out that there is a very strong possibility that I have Multiple Sclerosis. I never thought I’d hear the doctor say that to me, and I never thought I’d be writing that phrase, but if the diagnosis is true, which I have a bad feeling in my gut that it is, then everything can be explained—the deterioration of my bladder control over the short course of my late teen years and the sudden loss of bowel control that began in November. Strangely enough, part of me does hope that it is Multiple Sclerosis, so I can get treatment and will be at peace concerning what is going on with me. Quite frankly, I’m tired of being in the dark about my health and feeling like I’m losing my mind. I know my body quite well, and I know that something is seriously wrong. I try to push the feeling aside, as I’ve done for the last three years when symptoms kept coming and going and hoping they’d go away: yet, this bad feeling reappears, as if to let me know that I cannot push it away now. I cannot hide from it. I have to deal with it.

Beginning in 2006, I started experiencing strange things happening. In May of that year, I had a constant pens and needles sensation in the last two fingers on my left hand—my pinky and my ring fingers—for an entire two weeks. Then, it disappeared. Upon its disappearance, I thought that all was well. I just thought of it be an isolated incidence. I was proven wrong when the same exact symptoms appeared in the fall in the same hand. This time, though, it was the thumb and the pointer that were affected. These symptoms lasted for the same length of time.

Part of me began to suspect that something was not right; however, I just reasoned that it was no big deal and that it was just a minor annoyance. I felt that if I did not think too much, it would never appear again. I felt that thinking about it at all would cause me to imagine things. So, I resolved that I’d just forget about those two events and just go on with my life. My peace would be short lived, as new symptoms appeared in 2007.

During the summer of 2007, I got a weird sensation on my right foot. It felt like there was hair there moving about, however, every time I’d bend down or bring my foot to me to swat it away, I was shocked and surprised to find that nothing was there. Now, I really thought I was going nuts. I resolved that I’d just try to ignore it. I did not want to go to the doctor for it just in case they’d think I was foolish. Though I tried to reason that it was nothing, I had a nagging feeling that something was definitely not right.

In the fall of that same year, I began to develop gruesomely painful headaches accompanied with extreme nausea that would a lot of the time lead to vomiting. Everything I’d take did not work in the least bit. All over the counter medications were like candy, as they had no real effect. To attempt to cure the pain, I took two eight hundred MM IV prophin tablets at a time equaling up to sixteen hundred MM total. While this would make a very small dent in the pain, as it took the edge off, it was not enough to bring about true relief. The only thing I could do was to sleep it off. After waking, the headache would be gone.

I easily explained away the headaches reasoning that I was developing migraines due to being blind. I was taught in my med certification class at the school for the blind that it was common for blind people to develop migraines in their late teens or early adulthood. So, I had no red flags raised this time. I just thought that I was one of those less fortunate blind people that joined the migraine affected population and that I’d have to make the best of my circumstances. 2008 would throw a different twist into the mix, as even stranger and unexplainable events occurred. It was these events that told me that I could no longer reason things away and that something was indeed very wrong.

During the summer of 2008, in the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August, my left foot became affected. It felt as if something was stuck between the big toe and the second toe, however, the result was exactly the same as when my right foot was affected. When I inspected my left foot, I found that nothing was there. Now, I was very puzzled. One would think that this occurrence alone would cause me to run and seek help: however, it did not. I’m not really sure why. I guess I could say that I was hoping for things to be right? Mid November would present some very unique issues that would confirm that things were, indeed, nowhere near right.

For the last two weeks of November, I began having speratic bowel accidents in my sleep—two each week. I just reasoned that I had some sort of stomach bug and that the accidents were isolated circumstances. But in December, I suddenly lost complete control of my bowels. It was so strange. It was as if my muscles just suddenly weakened!

For this, I never planned to seek medical attention due to the embarrassment. My plans were for me to continue to run my business from home in isolation, having little to do with socializing as possible for fear of embarrassment and being reproached. I confided in my best friend about what was happening, and he made me go to the doctor.

I talked to my doctor about what was going on, and I was ordered to give stool samples. It was the nastiest thing. I had to scoop the mess out of the diaper that I soiled and put it into the vials. It was one of the most disgusting, yet weirdest, things I had to do. The tests came back saying that my Candida content was very high. I was given meds to kill off the yeast overgrowth, and I resolved to stick more strictly to my diet. Sadly, conditions did not improve.

The headaches persisted and immense fatigue followed. By mid day, I was so tired that I had not one ounce of motivation to do the things I wanted to do, and I had to literally drag myself to do them. I started feeling this way in February. Late March, I experience temperature changes in my body, where one minute I was sweating, and the next, I was shivering cold. And beginning in April, I had a symptom that prompted m to get help.

This symptom lasted for a week and three days. What was happening was that it felt as if something was stuck to the inside of my left foot. It felt like paper. But like the other two times, there was nothing. What was unique about this symptom was that it seemed to become more intensified when I took hot baths. So, during the duration of its stay, I could only take Luke warm baths so as to not make things worse for me. This symptom disappeared Sunday, April 5.

I had already made an appointment with the neurologist, however, I begged to be fit in when there were cancelations because by now, I was feeling petrified. I chided myself for ignoring my body for so long, and I wanted nothing more than to be at peace and to have a solution for this annoying torture. Thankfully, I was seen a day early.

When I got there, I talked about the symptoms I’d been experiencing for the past three years; however, I did not even bring up the urinary and bowel incontinence, since I thought it was not pertinent to what was going on. I had already been given a diagnosis for the urinary incontinence of overactive bladder, and as for my bowel incontinence, I just reasoned that since it was not Candida related, it was possibly due to the twelve and a have years of chronic constipation that I suffered. I never thought of bringing the incontinence up.

After telling her of my symptoms, she asked me if I had bladder and bowel problems to which I replied that I was completely incontinent. I gave her the entire run down on my urinary incontinence and how it worsened over time, and I told her about the recent loss of bowel control. After we talked, I had a full fledged physical where some tests were done.

First, she put her hand on my forehead and asked if I were able to feel it. I told her that I could with no problem. Then, she touched both sides of my face asking if I could feel it and if one side could be felt better than the other. I had no issues there, as everything felt fine. She then touched my hands and my feet, and I also had no problems.

Then, the neurologist experimented with a tuning fork. The same exact procedure was done. She put it on my forehead, both sides of my face, my hands, and my feet. But, when she touched my right foot, something strange happened. Rather than it being cold, like it was supposed to be, it actually felt hot. I thought I was imagining things, so I asked her to put it on my right foot a second time. Sure enough, I had the same result. The tuning fork felt as if someone put it in their hand to warm it up and then touch my foot.

When this test was finished, she then pricked me all over with a cotton pick stick, or whatever those things are called. Let’s say that it did not feel good. I was pricked down my spine, all over my back, all over my stomach, down my arms, the backs of my hands, the tops of my feet, and even my face. Now, when this was done, two strange things happened. I was able to feel the prick on my right foot; however, when my right hand was pricked, it barely felt like anything at all. It felt like just a small light touch. I thought that was odd, since I did feel the cold temperature of the tuning fork on the back of my right hand, though, I will have to admit that it was not as pronounced as on my left hand.

Then, I went through a test where I was asked to move various muscles in my face. I had to smile. I had to move my eyes. I had to gaze. I blinked. It was so strange. Evidently, I did very well on this test.

After all was said and done, the neurologist asked me if I had a history of MS in my family. When I heard her say that, I literally puked in my mouth. I told her that we had no such history. She asked me if my siblings and parents were healthy. I told her that they were healthy as oxes and that I got the cruddy end of the stick. While MS does not necessarily have to run in families, there is a greater risk of developing it yourself if there are family members close to you with the disease, though, that does not always make it definite, either. We talked for a bit, and then she told me that I’d need to have my urine tested and an MRI to look for brain legions.

Now, all I can do is wait. The waiting is what I do not like. I want to know right now, so I can deal with it and move on. I want peace.

How to Tell Your Friend you Suffer From Incontinence

2009-03-28T06:46:00.000-07:00

How to Tell Your Friends You Suffer from Incontinence
If the time has come when you'll be telling a friend that you suffer from incontinence, there is no need to worry. Following these tips will make things so much easier.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1399808/how_to_tell_your_friends_you_suffer.html

Treating Adult Diaper Rash

2009-03-28T06:40:00.001-07:00

How to Treat Diaper Rash in an Adult
While it is easy to discuss treatment options for a baby's diaper rash, it is taboo to discuss this problem in an adult. Because of this, it is hard to find proper information. Look no further.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1399824/how_to_treat_diaper_rash_in_an_adult.html

Learn the Causes of Incontinence and How to Mannage

2009-03-28T06:38:00.000-07:00

How to Manage Incontinence
Incontinence can be caused by many underlying issues. It helps to know about them, so you can better understand what you are up against.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1399836/how_to_manage_incontinence.html

Information for Incontinent Adults who wish to Go Green

2009-03-28T06:33:00.000-07:00

Top Three Websites Where You Can Purchase Adult Cloth Diapers
Purchasing adult cloth diapers from these manufacturers is guaranteed to leave you satisfied.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1401343/top_three_websites_where_you_can_purchase.html

Stay Away From Drug Store Brands of Adult Diapers

2009-03-28T06:30:00.001-07:00

Adult Diapers: Why You Should Not Use the Drug Store Brands
Adult diapers sold in the drug store are not what you think they are. Find out why you should never use them.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1439513/adult_diapers_why_you_should_not_use.html

Helping a Teen to Cope with Incontinence

2009-03-28T04:22:00.000-07:00

How to Help a Teen Suffering from Incontinence
Being a teenager is difficult enough, but when incontinence is thrown into the mix, things are even harder. Learn how you can help a teen who is suffering from incontinence.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1492026/how_to_help_a_teen_suffering_from_incontinence.html

My Experience with Bowel Incontinence

2009-02-28T16:26:00.000-08:00

So, the very unfortunate has happened. I would have discussed it sooner; however, I’ve been too embarrassed. You se, my incontinence has taken a very different twist, and I’m dealing with new things that I’m not used to facing.

It all started back in November. For the first few weeks, I would have a bowel movement in my sleep. It didn’t happen every night. It happened sporadically, enough for me to believe that it was just isolated incidence. I just reasoned that it would go away and that it was a good thing that I was wearing a diaper already, so I could protect my bed along with my clothing. Sadly, though, things really got worse.
Within the middle of the first week of December, I started having a bowel movement in my sleep every single night. By the middle of December, I began losing bowel control during the day. I started isolating myself. I figured that all of my technicians could do all of the on site work, and I’d just stay home working with telephone and remote access tech support. I’d go out once in awhile, but the entire time, I’d pray that I’d not have a fecal accident. I was fortunate that it didn’t happen.

Finally, my best friend came back from the military. I talked to him about everything, as there is not a single thing he doesn’t know about me. He was the first and the only one I told at the time. When he asked me if I had seeked out medical attention, I told him that I did not and did not plan on it due to immense embarrassment of facing the doctor and talking about this issue. He drove me to the doctors and gave me an ultimatum. I didn’t even have an appointment. Needless to say, the doctor saw me right then and there.

While there, I ever so embarrassingly talked to my doctor about what I was currently dealing with. I had to give stool samples, as well. I was told that if the stool samples came back with nothing found, further tests would be taken. The stool samples came back with a very high Candida content, meaning that it was suggested that the loss of bowel control was due to my condition, Chronic Systemic Candida. I was told to get my diet under control—I have to forever remain on a strict diet to manage my condition and keep it from worsening—and I was also given strong medication to kill off the yeast that was causing internal damage to my intestines. I followed the instructions, but there has still been no improvement. I’m wondering if it takes time? And if so, how long? I want my normal life back. It is bad enough that I’m urinary incontinent, but the thought of having to live with bowel incontinence is almost crippling. Many say it can be done, but I don’t want to offend others in public should I have an accident. I know I’m an incontinence advocate, and being that I am, I should not allow things like that to get to me, but it is very hard. I hope that we can get to the bottom of everything and solve my problem. Should the bowel incontinence be permanent, I pray that Jehovah God will give me the strength and the know how to live with this. I NEVER THOUGHT I’d understand how people living with bowel incontinence would feel. I do now.

Incontinence Resources and Online Support Groups for Incontinence Sufferers

2009-01-24T08:45:00.001-08:00

The list is few for good resources. However, I've compiled some that I feel are most helpful to incontinence sufferers. If you are incontinent, or if you have a child who suffers from incontinence, look no further. The searching ends here. The list of incontinence resources and online incontinence support groups are as follows:

www.aboutincontinence.org/

www.simonfoundation.org This organization offers online support, as well as a ton of information about incontinence. This was the first organization I came into contact with at the age of nineteen.

www.depend.com This is another site that is packed with information. They also have message boards where you can talk with other incontinent individuals. You'll need to click the "Friends and Sharing" link.

www.nafc.org Like the others, help and support are offered. This is a very wonderful site.

www.healthcentral.com/incontinence/support-groups.html This one is not blind friendly. A captcha is neded in order to join. We wil hopefully write the site owners about making this change.

www.dailystrength.org/c/Urinary-Incontinence/support-group This is a urinary incontinence support group. You can also look up their other intity http://dailystrength.org/support-groups Daily Strength is one of the top websites for support.

www.care2.com/c2c/group/Incontinence This is another online support group.

www.healthboards.com This is for all medical conditions. You'll have to look for the one specific to incontinence.

www.wrongdiagnosis.com This site has information on a host of medical conditions, as well as message boards. You'll need to find the ones specific to incontinence.

http://www.mdjunction.com/urinary-incontinence This group here is geered to urinary incontinence.

I truly hope this helps you.

Does the "All Children Must Be Potty Trained Before Attending School" Law Effect a Medically Incontinent Child?

2009-01-24T08:19:00.000-08:00

“All children must be potty trained before attending school,” is the law. These are not the exact words, but nonetheless, it is the law. Then you may ask yourself, “What if my child has a medical problem? What if he is incontinent?” Don’t worry about it because in those cases, that law des not apply. Here is the procedure that you must follow to protect yourself and your child in the school system.

First, go to the doctor. If the incontinence is unknown, such as your child suddenly having problems, it is best to get to the bottom of it. But until you do, your child might need diapers for a time, depending on the severity of the issue at hand. If this is the case, have the doctor write you a note stating that there is a medical condition present and that absorbent protection is needed until the problem is found and solved. If you already know what the problem is, such as an overactive bladder, intestinal issues, or an undeveloped urinary tract, then have the doctor write a note stating that there is a permanent medical condition and that the need for diapers is permanent and absolute. It will be vital to emphasize that there is no cure so they will not harass you or your child. The note must also say that he is to go to the nurse for diaper changes. This way, he will not face trouble from any of the staff at the school since some like to give children and parents a tough way to go. Make sure the doctor does not miss a single detail in the note. All details need to be included for your protection.

Once you’ve obtained a medical note, you’ll need to give a copy to the nurse, the principle, and any staff that works with your child. Then, sit down and have a talk with the principle and the nurse. Don’t talk with just one. They both need to be present. You’ll need to discuss incontinence management and how things will be handled. Talk to the nurse about your child coming to her office for diaper changes. This way, it is being handled by a trained professional, and the state cannot be fined.

Don’t let them tell you it is not possible because it is. When a student is incontinent, no matter the age, he must go to the nurse for every diaper change. He is not to change his own diapers. It is policy since they are obligated to follow certain sanitation codes for state institutions. If they out right refuse, then the civil rights of your child have been violated, and you have a case under the American with Disabilities Act. An incontinent child has the right to attend a normal school and normal classes just as his peers. Don’t let them tell you any different.

So, parents, there is no need to worry. Now that you’ve been informed, take the necessary steps to ensure you and your child are protected.

Increasing Stigma Decreases Self Esteem in Individuals Suffering from Incontinence

2008-09-23T14:40:00.001-07:00

This is an article that Ive written that talks about stigma and the dammage it does. It also talks about how orthodox potty training practices increases stigma towards incontinent individuals. Also, as promised, my full and unabridged story about my suffering will be shared. You can read it all by clicking here.

Welcome

2008-09-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

I want to welcome anyone who comes to this blog.

Hi, I'm Reina Brown, and i'm going ontwenty-four years of age. I have suffered from some form of incontinence all of my life. Because things got worse, I now find myself relying on diapers twenty-four/seven, as this is the only thing that works. Medications have failed, and surgery is not an option. Heck! Nobody even knows what is causing this. So, how could they opperate on me if they don't even know the cause? Exactly. So I find myself in this predicament.

The next post will tell my story at length. This is just the abridged version to kind of fill you in on who i am.

The purpose for starting this blog is to fight stigma against incontinence. unfortunately, society has this idea that diapers are only for babies. Little do they know, there are millions who depend on them as adults, and these adults hardly display any characteristics of a helpless infant. As a matter of fact, incontinent adults hold jobs, raise families, and do whatever else they want in life. The only difference? They have to wear diapers. If it weren't for diapers, they'd not be able to do much else, as they'd be confined to a bed going to the bathroom on themselves. Diapers are our saving grace. They allow us to leave the house. They allow us to socialize without embarrassing accidents that would soil our clothing and friends' furniture. They allow us to hold jobs and function like adults.

I'm not saying that we like to wear diapers. We wouldn't if we didn't have to. We wish things were different. However, we are thankful that they are available and that they can provide the security that we need so we can otherwise lead normal lives. Instead of saying diapers are only for babies, it would be fitting to say, in this case, that they are a responsible solution to a problem. And, only an adult would possess the faculties to handle problems such as this in a responsible fassion.

It is my hope, and the hope of others who decide to author on this blog, that this blog will serve as a learning tool for members of society. We hope to not only educate but decrease the stigma attached to suffering incontinence and needing diapers. It is my dream, and the dream of all the rest of the incontinent community, that we can one day discuss our condition just the same as one can discuss the common cold, a broken leg, or alergies.