I have lived with this for 8 years now. I have Crohn's and an ileoanal reservoir (no colon, but no ostomy either) and poor control due to spasms at the sphincter. All of my stools are loose and caustic because of the lack of a colon, and any leaks immediately cause burns on my skin. I have soiled my bed many times, don't leave the house when I am suffering a flare that almost guarantees a lack of control, and wear pads when I am most likely to need them. I would not laugh or gawk . . . I would be either trying to find a way to help or shooting you caring looks.

My incontinence issues are one of the big reasons for my disablity. My employer (and most others) had a hard time justifying keeping an employee who might have to spend an inordinate amount of time in the restroom, and having to drop everything when it is urgent.

And now I have nervous system issues to complicate the matter . . .