One of the most dreaded experiences I have had to deal with is using a public restroom. It sort of bugs me when a restroom claims to be handicapped-accessible, but is not big enough to keep the door closed behind a wheelchair. And even if I manage to get it closed, my wheelchair often is too close to the toilet for me to easily transfer.
Then there's the issue of having limited grab bars, and usually there is only one either on one side or behind the toilet. This can be very difficult for me especially because I only have the use of my left arm, and need a bar on both sides as I change position and prepare to leave.
Sometimes the accessible restrooms are truly spacious and have grab bars and motion censored faucets... The whole nine yards, and it makes the experience so much more easier to manage. I often have an aide assist me inside a stall because of space, mobility and safety.
One time, I was having a really stressful day at school, and while my aid waited outside, I slipped and fell between the toilet and the wall. I was wedged and decided to take a moment and wait there. My pants were at my ankles, but I didn't care. I took the moment to sit with my situation and a had a heavy cry. Then when I gathered myself together, I called my aid who gasped in shock, checked for bruises and the hoisted me up into my chair. If it wasn't for the grab bar that eased my speed falling, I would've gotten pretty hurt.
Sometimes when there is a grab bar, there is the toilet tissue dispenser that is really bulky and right above the bar. I often smack my head and its usual location makes side-stepping very hard, as it forces me to loosen my grip on the bar. When this happens, instead of calling in my aide, I press my face and forehead against the wall to stabalize me.
MY TIPS FOR MANEUVERING A PUBLIC RESTROOM AND WHY:
1.) Use chair for stability - much safer to do with power wheelchairs, the weight of the chair can withstand a lot of shaking and pressure applied to the arm rests. Position the chair in front of the toilet, close enough to box you in in case of fall, yet far enough away to keep your toes from being caught and to allow you to turn 360 degrees.
2.) Press your forehead into the wall - though a bit distateful and gross, when all else fails, this is a great last resort to maintain your balance if you need to take one or both hand(s) off the grab bar
3.) Angle the chair - you may need to angle your chair appropriately to allow you to shut the stall door and keep your chair in easy reach. Your arm rests can also be used as a makeshift grab bar
4.) Stack pillows - if the stall door won't close once your chair is in the right position, stacking pillows on top of your headrest to block the gap will help. Use large pillows!