When did you last look closely at the floor of a public loo?

People with disabilities and continence problems and their carers often get a very close view.

As proper changing facilities are hardly ever provided parents like us have to lift our sons and daughters on to the toilet floors in order to change their pads. Floors that are hard, cold, unpleasant and unhygenic - even if kept clean.

No paid carer would be allowed to do this, however we don't have any choice. If we want to give our sons and daughters any kind of social life.

Here you see myself and Craig attempting to use a so called standard disabled toilet. I take a look first to work out the best way of doing things. Where will the wheelchair go? Very often, due to lack of space I have to leave the wheelchair outside and physically carry Craig in to the toilet to change him.

Are there any obstacles? Now, where can I lay him down? I have to have something to put on the floor. There must be two people to lift Craig. It is going to be extremely akward.

As you can see, space is very tight. This is the only way I can change Craig's pads if I am away from home. It is not pleasant for Craig or for myself.

There is little dignity. I wonder how many people, with or without disabilities, would find it acceptable to be lying on a public loo floor like this.

I also have to cope with the body brace that Craig has to wear and the splints on his feet.

All this makes it very difficult.