Life with IBD
Living with ulcerative colitis means managing a set of daily logistics that most people never think about. Where is the nearest restroom? What happens if a store says "employees only"? What do you carry in your bag for a flare that hits during a commute? These are practical questions, and they deserve practical answers. This article covers the full toolkit: your legal rights to restroom access, bathroom cards that communicate urgency without awkward explanations, what belongs in a UC emergency kit, incontinence product options, and supply management for ostomy and J-pouch patients.
Your Legal Right to Restroom Access Under Ally's Law
In 2005, a 14-year-old girl named Ally Bain was shopping at a retail store in Illinois when she experienced a Crohn's disease flare. The store denied her access to the employee restroom, and she soiled herself. Her experience led to the Restroom Access Act, widely known as Ally's Law, which Illinois signed into law that same year.
The law requires retail establishments with employee restrooms to grant access to customers who have a documented medical condition requiring immediate bathroom use. As of 2024, at least 21 states and Washington D.C. have passed versions of the law. States with Ally's Law include Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Requirements vary by state, but generally you will need documentation from a healthcare provider confirming your diagnosis. Some states issue specific request cards through state health departments, while others accept documentation from organizations like the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. Penalties for businesses that refuse access also vary, with Virginia, for example, imposing fines of $100 for non-compliance.
If your state does not yet have a restroom access law, carrying documentation from your gastroenterologist can still help. Many businesses will accommodate the request, especially when a medical card makes the situation clear without requiring a verbal explanation.
Bathroom Access Cards and How to Get One
A bathroom access card is a wallet-sized card that communicates your need for urgent restroom access without requiring you to explain your condition out loud. These cards typically include language identifying that the holder has a medical condition requiring immediate restroom access, along with references to applicable state laws.
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation provides a free "I Can't Wait" card by calling 888-MY-GUT-PAIN (888-694-8872). You do not need to be a paying member to request one. In the UK, Crohn's & Colitis UK offers a similar "Can't Wait" card through its membership program.
Several other options exist. The Bladder & Bowel Community offers a free "Just Can't Wait" mobile app for iOS that functions as a digital card and includes a map to locate nearby public restrooms. State health departments in Virginia and New York provide printable restroom request cards that reference local legislation. You can also purchase credit-card-sized cards from retailers like Amazon if you prefer a more durable option.
Carry your card alongside any supporting documentation your state requires, such as a signed letter from your doctor. Having both a physical card and a digital backup on your phone covers you in situations where you might forget your wallet or vice versa.
Building a UC Emergency Kit
An emergency kit is the single most referenced practical tool among UC patients, and for good reason. A flare does not wait for a convenient moment. The goal is to build a compact kit that fits in a bag you already carry, so you are never caught without essentials.
Start with cleanup basics. Alcohol-free, fragrance-free wipes are gentler on irritated skin than standard baby wipes. A small tube of barrier cream or zinc oxide ointment protects skin that is already raw from frequent bathroom trips. Pack a few sealable plastic bags for soiled clothing, and include hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for situations where soap and water are not available.
Next, address clothing. Roll a pair of clean underwear and a pair of neutral-colored pants, leggings, or shorts tightly to save space. Neutral colors are intentional: they match most outfits and are less likely to show staining. Sanitary pads with wings can provide an extra layer of protection during transit, regardless of gender, and are easy to swap out without a full clothing change.
Finally, include your medical information. A card or note listing your current medications (including supplements and over-the-counter drugs), your gastroenterologist's contact information, and your insurance details is important during any emergency and especially useful if you end up in an unfamiliar ER. Keep your bathroom access card in this kit as well, or in your wallet where you will always have it.
A small travel-sized air freshener or odor neutralizer is optional but appreciated by many patients who say it reduces the anxiety of using public or shared restrooms.
Incontinence Products That Actually Work for UC
Bowel incontinence is a documented symptom of ulcerative colitis that affects a significant number of patients, particularly during flares. The challenge with incontinence products for UC is that most are designed for urinary incontinence, which involves different volumes and different absorption needs than bowel-related accidents. Knowing what to look for makes a meaningful difference.
For lighter protection during unpredictable moments, thin absorbent pads or liners worn inside regular underwear offer a discreet first line of defense. These work well for patients who experience occasional leakage or who want reassurance during recovery from a flare. Look for products specifically labeled for bowel or fecal incontinence, as they tend to have better odor control.
For heavier protection, adult briefs designed for bowel incontinence provide more coverage. Products like pull-up style underwear look and feel closer to regular underwear than traditional briefs with tabs, which matters for daily wear. Booster pads can be added inside briefs for overnight use or high-risk situations like long flights.
Waterproof mattress protectors and disposable underpads are worth having at home, particularly during active flares when nighttime accidents are more likely. These are inexpensive and save the cost and stress of replacing bedding.
One important point: incontinence products manage the symptom, not the underlying disease. If you are experiencing new or worsening incontinence, talk to your gastroenterologist. Medication adjustments, pelvic floor therapy, and bowel retraining exercises can address the root cause alongside product use.
Ostomy and J-Pouch Supply Management
For UC patients who have had surgery, managing supplies is its own logistical challenge. Whether you have a temporary or permanent ostomy, or have undergone J-pouch surgery, having the right supplies organized and accessible reduces daily friction.
Ostomy patients should keep a consistent stock of pouches, skin barriers or wafers, pouch clips or closures, stoma powder, barrier rings, and adhesive remover wipes. Your ostomy care nurse will help you identify the specific products that work with your anatomy and output type. Deodorizing drops added to the pouch help neutralize odor and prevent the pouch lining from sticking together.
For travel, pack supplies in at least two separate bags. If you are flying, split between carry-on and checked luggage so that a lost bag does not leave you without essentials. The United Ostomy Associations of America recommends carrying a TSA notification card that explains your medical device, which can smooth the security screening process.
J-pouch patients face different but related challenges. Frequent, urgent bowel movements are common in the months following surgery, and some patients deal with pouchitis, an inflammation of the internal pouch. Keeping a supply of prescribed antibiotics, barrier cream for perianal skin protection, and the same cleanup essentials listed in the emergency kit section above will help you manage daily life during the adjustment period.
Putting It All Together
Managing UC logistics is not a one-time project. Your needs will shift as your disease activity changes, as you travel, and as you move between flares and remission. The most useful approach is to build your toolkit now, while you are thinking about it, and then adjust as you learn what works for your specific situation.
Start with the items that address your most pressing daily challenge. If restroom anxiety is your biggest barrier, get your bathroom card and research your state's restroom access law this week. If you have been caught without supplies during a flare, build your emergency kit today. Track your urgency patterns with Aidy to identify your highest-risk times of day and plan your restroom access strategy accordingly.