PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Clifton Smith, Member of the Public, on Public Bathroom Access
2:08:06
·
3 min
Clifton Smith testified about the urgent need for more public bathrooms in New York City, sharing personal experiences of himself and others struggling to find restrooms. He highlighted the challenges faced by those with medical conditions or disabilities, and the impact on daily life and dignity.
- Smith described incidents where he and his housemate had accidents due to lack of bathroom access, emphasizing the embarrassment and inconvenience caused.
- He mentioned the limited availability of public restrooms, especially at night, forcing him to hold his bladder during long commutes.
- Smith also noted that he was advised to avoid coffee and soda to reduce bathroom needs, illustrating how lack of facilities affects personal choices.
Clifton Smith
2:08:06
Good afternoon.
2:08:08
My name is Clifton Smith, and I'm I'm I'm alive in in in the back.
2:08:13
So so the the the reason why I I came here was an important day is that Like, I always go it's, like, always a host of bathroom.
2:08:26
Like so so I I I do live in a group home, and I I so I do.
2:08:34
Like, the reason why is because I have I have one of my house based peons yesterday on my way to the on our way to appointments, and and he they couldn't hold it.
2:08:47
And and when when we was a gay on the on the bend Mhmm.
2:08:51
And when and then a gay on a highway is on on a way the coming on on a way to Mahala, he couldn't hold it.
2:09:00
So And so this is so weird.
2:09:03
So they had to go back in so they had to go back to the house, change the the the house, change of clothes, guys were closed, they they they they they they that they they pee that that that that they pee on the shelf was just not too good.
2:09:19
So the reason why that that they wet my and then always then as for me, I I wet my always wet myself, wet my soul.
2:09:30
So I had to go back and change the clothes, and and change the clothes, and then put this clothes back and take a shower, and and and wash this wash this clothes die die pee on.
2:09:44
That that that IP on.
2:09:48
Because it's because the thing is I I begin buying on a subway from home, just to Brooklyn, like, all the to corny island, all my way at Kony Island because of the the thing is that because of the the bad news is closed at this time of night, and because always because the thing is that I get home because I'll be I be getting home at 10 to 11 o'clock at night.
2:10:11
So when there's no so if I couldn't hold it, I'm gonna have to hold when I get home.
2:10:19
And we do have public restrooms and but the the we do have public restroom in in in that corner park and on 2 42nd in in that corner park in 2nd Street.
2:10:33
And and and and we do, and we have one open then in Cornett Island, and we and they'll in the in the summertime, we have well, that do opens we have gotten open until, like, 7:38 o'clock, so I I have opportunities to use it.
2:10:55
And then even though it doesn't matter, then my point is and then my last point is that I my side asked me to then not to have coffee.
2:11:06
The the because of that coffee and soda use make me use the bathroom.
2:11:11
And thank you guys for the time, and I my time is out.
