The D-Word

What is the D-WORD?  It is a word that steers up a lot of controversy on social media for no reason. The D-WORD is diapers!

I had to start out with a funny introduction to diapers. All over social media, and even in public, there’s a lot of rude conversations around people with disabilities wearing diapers. Primarily individuals and parents of disabled people coming out about themselves or their loved ones having to wear diapers and pull-ups and being mocked. 

It doesn’t help that companies that make these products often advertise these products just to babies and younger kids. This marketing and mockery seems to have led to medical professionals changing the name “diaper” to briefs, which further complicates things when we may not understand what is really being discussed.  Having to hide things, like the need for individuals with disabilities to wear diapers because they’re not able to make it to the bathroom or they don’t have control over when they need to go to the bathroom only makes people feel ashamed. It feels ableist, and that has negative impacts, like people being embarrassed to go out of their home if they may need to change while out.

I know this because I am physically disabled and incontinent myself. I have to wear diapers every single day, and I can tell you that it’s hard getting anything done. I’m not embarrassed about having to wear diapers, but I know a lot of people that are so embarrassed that they refuse to go out and enjoy life. These are a few of the remarks I’ve heard from people I know:

• I’m embarrassed to wear diapers
• I feel guilty for wearing them
• I’m afraid of what people are gonna think of me

As people with disabilities, we should not be shamed and judged into not wearing diapers when we clearly have to wear them. A lot needs to change to make life better for people with disabilities.  Below are some ideas on what could help:

• Encourage diaper companies to make their wording more inclusive and not specific to certain ages
• Using plain, clear language instead of words like “briefs,” which can also mean underwear
• Incontinence acceptance, including recognizing and including people who wear diapers, pull-ups, catheters, have ostomies
• Acknowledge that toilet use is not an option for everyone

Altogether, these are things we could do to help make society more understanding to people with disabilities in general, including those wearing diapers and pull-ups. The stigmas are not helping, and it has led to people’s disabilities not going out into their communities. Instead, we need acceptance and inclusion, and to feel welcome anywhere.

by Justin Boatner