One of the difficulties I had when I was growing up with the medical conditions I had was that I never ever saw anybody talking about similar conditions. I think this is partly my conditions are slightly unusual but also, because they affect my bladder and bowels, I think it’s still seen as a bit unseemly to talk about such things. Going to the toilet is a very private matter and one that most people would rather not think about or talk about. And, when you do, it inevitably ends up seeming very crude or very childish.
Which is all very well and good but it does me make me think there’s probably people out there who, like me, have to use a catheter to urinate due to their medical conditions but never ever hears anyone talking about using a catheter. Similarly there are probably people who’ve seen me or someone else using one in public toilets and have questions but feel it’d be a bit wrong to ask them.
For both those reasons, I’d decided to record a short video of myself talking about using a catheter for anyone who is interested to watch. Obviously, if you do find the idea of inserting a catheter into yourself unpleasant to think about or talk about, you might choose not to watch it!
Here it is if you do want to so though. It was filmed and edited by Tom Mayne.
Paul Hawkins 