House Bill 1138 will allow people with certain medical conditions access to employee-only restrooms in retail establishments. It’s a simple idea that affords people basic human dignity and allows them to feel better about venturing out to shop in our state’s retail stores. Lois suffers from Crohn’s Disease, which can often result in an immediate need to use the restroom. She was inspired by the story of Ally Bain, a teenager from Illinois who suffered a Crohn’s attack while shopping in with her mother and was denied access to an employee restroom. The pain and humiliation of her experience motivated Ally to push for “Ally’s Law” – a restroom access bill that passed in Illinois a few years ago.
Also a longtime Crohn’s sufferer, Mike McCready drove especially to Olympia with his wife, Ashley O’Connor, to attend the bill signing. Mike is a vocal supporter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. He came to Olympia earlier this year to testify in favor of the bill. The issue is important to him because his life has been so greatly affected by the disease, and he hopes that young people especially can avoid the embarrassment that often comes with it.
Thanks to Lois, Mike and members of the Northwest chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, thousands of people in Washington with medical conditions don’t have to worry about having embarrassing accidents in retail shops.
