Buzz
I tend to Google 'poop' more often than most people, so I wasn’t too surprised to see targeted Twitter ads for a 'Restroom Request Card' from CrohnsandColitis.com. Is this some kind of universal bathroom pass, or is it just another marketing tactic from Big Pharma? As it turns out, it's a bit of both.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are both conditions that can cause sudden and urgent bathroom needs, often accompanied by bloody diarrhea. A magical bathroom card would definitely come in handy for anyone dealing with these challenges.
So I decided to click. Let’s dive into the connection to Big Pharma: CrohnsandColitis.com, which is not affiliated with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, is owned and sponsored by the pharmaceutical giant Abbvie. The website allows you to fill out a form to request 'more information and a Restroom Request card.' The form asks for details like your diagnosis date, medications you're currently using, and those you might want to try. At the end, you must agree to the statement: 'I understand that the information I’ve provided will be used only by AbbVie and its contracted third parties to send me mail, email, and phone calls with useful information about my condition, AbbVie treatments, products, services, and for marketing and informational purposes.'
I filled out the form (online, where no one really knows if you actually have Crohn’s or colitis), and then checked my email. I received a message containing the 'information I requested,' which was merely a link to a page I had already visited on the site. No card was attached, though the form did ask for a mailing address—so it’s possible a card is on its way as we speak.
Bathroom cards are indeed a real thing.
Initially, I thought this was just a silly marketing stunt. You can get a card stating you have a medical condition! How exciting! But, as it turns out, there’s actually some truth behind it.
It turns out that several states have an 'Ally’s Law' which mandates that businesses must grant access to their private restrooms for individuals with medical needs. This includes conditions like Crohn’s and colitis. There are a few exceptions; for instance, if a small business lacks enough staff to manage both the store and the bathroom, they’re exempt. The specifics of the law can vary depending on the state.
A card from Abbvie is not a necessity; usually, just informing an employee of your medical condition and the need for bathroom access should be sufficient. (Basic human decency should really cover it, though the 'Ally' in the law's title refers to a young woman who suffered an accident after being denied access to an employee-only restroom.) To make your request more official and discreet, you might prefer carrying a card.
Healthline reports that the states with this law include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
In addition to Abbvie, other organizations providing cards include the gastroparesis nonprofit GPACT, Oley, a nonprofit supporting individuals who are fed by tube or IV, and Sephure, a company that manufactures a suppository applicator. Sara from Inflamed and Untamed recommends asking your gastroenterologist for a note if you want the most official-looking documentation of your medical condition, which could be useful for other situations as well, such as carrying medical supplies when traveling.
