Get My Son off the Floor

I am a proud veteran and mom of 3 wonderful children. My oldest Benjamin has physical limitation that require full assistance for all activities. In December of 2015, we were traveling as a family from the Caribbean to Georgia by way of NJ. Because Benji can’t sit independently we often travel first class with tons of pillows and blankets – it’s not the best as many of you can imagine. On arrival to NJ, his chair was completely soaked because no one thought to protect it from the elements during the short trip up the ramp. When we got to our connection the flight was delayed due to inclement weather. Understanding everyone wanting to get home, I kindly explained to the representative that my son was tube feed and due to the carry on limits, he would run out of food and that the meal vouchers would be of little use.

Shortly after running out of food, we ran out of briefs – thankfully and weirdly enough I was directed to the lost luggage department and they had an array of briefs that were suitable. I then returned to the counter to ask for an acceptable place to change him, explaining why the handicapped accessible bathrooms weren’t a good fit for him. I provided my documents stating we traveled first class and explained that we were frequent flyers. Additionally, I mentioned that we would lay him on a pad and would be in and out within minutes.

The representative left to speak with a supervisor and returned holding a blanket and pillow – little did I know what she would suggest next. She told me that her supervisor suggested we visit the family restroom because it was large and had provided a blanket and pillow to lay him – my child – on the bathroom floor!!! I tried reasoning with him, which failed and Benji was getting more agitated. We walked to the restroom I opened the door and stood there staring at her, my eyes saying please don’t let this happen.

After a few uncomfortable moments and tears streaming down my face, I carefully kicked the toilet paper out of the way and tried to squeeze my hand sanitizer on the floor and wipe it up. I laid the blankets on the floor and lifted my son out of his chair and laid him on the floor. My heart was broken as I stood over him wondering how in America we were going through this…were others having the same experience?

I took a video of him laying there his head steps away from a toilet and decided something had to be done. Since then I have connected with parents across the world and started ChangingplacesGA an offshoot of Changing Places a movement to get adult changing tables in restrooms across the UK.