As someone who is working with my Washington State representative to introduce a restroom access act in the upcoming legislative session next January, I applaud the efforts of those in Tennessee who had the courage and compassion to work for passage of this much needed bill.

For the few individuals who see this as a law that makes no sense, the person who stated "just wear depends," or anyone else out there who doesn't understand what this law means, listen up.

As someone who suffered from Crohn's disease as a teenager and was misdiagnosed for nearly two years, I collapsed in highschool and weighed 62 pounds at age 17. Let me draw a picture of what my life was like: incredible abdominal pain that was so severe it took my breath away and pin points of light danced in my eyes, severe weight loss due to massive bouts of diarreah that became progressively worse as the disease marched relentlessly through my colon and rectum, making any amount of "control" impossible, fevers, rectal bleeding, loss of appetite, delayed secondary growth and development, and two bowel resections over an eight year period. As the disease progressed my life changed to accommodate the steady assault. I wouldn't wear shorts because if I had an accident, others would immediately see. I stopped wearing white pants or skirts--again, a dark, wet stain is instantly visible on white. I was terrified to be spontaneous and take a leisurely walk in the park, or go camping. Where would a bathroom be in the middle of a park or on a hiking trail? A leisurely trip to the mall to window shop or try on clothes filled me with fear. Again, what if I had an accident while trying on clothes? I could never sit through a movie or a dinner in a resturant without having to use the restroom at least once. Every waking thought was centered around wondering where the bathroom was where ever I went, would it be occupied, would I be able to reach it in time, and if not, how would I hide the accident from those around me. The sense of fear, embarrassment, shame, and self loathing I felt were unbearable. Only close friends knew what I went through. I carried spare pantyhose and underwear with me at all times. I was terrified if the bus I was riding encountered traffic jams...what would I do if I needed to use the bathroom? How would I hide the inevitable accident on a crowded bus? The walls of my world gradually closed in until the only place I felt secure was in my own home, in my own bathroom.

I personally know the young girl in Chicago who was denied access to a bathroom in an Old Navy store. I have met her mother. I know the humiliation that young girl felt when she had that accident in the store because I've been there. And I know the courage it took to speak out and share that humiliation and then to work for passage of a rest room acces act in Illinois.

Those of us with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, IBS, an ostomy, or other medical conditions that require immediate access to a restoom are not going to ask to use a retail bathroom unless it is absolutely necessary. And there isn't going to be a "run" on these bathrooms by the general public. We aren't going to dirty your bathrooms, either. We have a very real disability, it just happens to be on the inside and not clearly visible. I used to joke that I should carry around a picture of my insides to show people my diseased colon and rectum. I also used to joke that my worst nightmare was arm wrestling an 80 year old woman for a vacant bathroom stall.

Trust me, we aren't going to willy nilly ask to use a retail restroom unless it is absolutely necessary. I've been in some bathrooms "reserved" for employees, and if I worked there, I'd be shocked at how dirty they are. We aren't going to make more work for you, either. Because I was so embarrassed and ashamed, I made sure when I used a "restroom reserved for employees" I left it in the same condition I found it. And we aren't asking to use your private, home bathroom.

This law IS needed for the simple fact there are individuals who did and continue to refuse access to a bathroom to someone with a medical condition that makes "holding it" to the public bathroom a block away an impossibility. So, we have these humane and needed laws or those of use with these medical conditions have a lovely accident in your store. Oh and if we stay home, then you lose out on revenue spent in your store. Where does that money "go" then? To an internet site out of state.

For those of you still not convinced, I hope for your sake you never get food poisioning, eat food tainted with e-coli, or get Montezuma's revenge, or c-dif. See how much control you have when you have "to go" and can't make it in time to a bathroom because you've been denied access to one in a store. Isn't the humiliation, shame and embarrassment fun when you have that accident, poop in your pants and everyone around you is staring at you?

Still think this law isn't needed?