so bad ass sam cleasby sheffield blogger

Well that escalated quickly…

So the past few days have gone WILD! My post about using disabled/accessible toilets when you have a hidden disability went viral and I can’t believe it, but So Bad Ass has had over 1.3 million views!!!

On Tuesday evening, I wrote the post, an open letter to people who judge others using public loos. It was about human courtesy, kindness and not judging a book by it’s cover. By the time I went to bed, it had a couple thousand views and I was over the moon! When I woke in the morning, the post was at 20,000+ and I was gob smacked.

By the end of the day, it was 100,000, and the next two days were hundreds of thousands each!!!

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Today my little website has hit well over a million hits.

1,000,000 +

WTAF?! I feel like I’m dreaming!! I have had thousands of messages, emails and comments. An unending stream of tweets and Facebook shares and media attention from newspapers and websites around the world!

I write this blog for one reason. To make a difference to the lives of others and so to know I am reaching a huge worldwide audience is just heart thuddingly wonderful. I am so humbled to be able to helping so many people. I’m excited and over the bloody moon that this is happening!

sam cleasby blogger

This website is my baby. 18 months ago I started writing to document my journey with IBD but it quickly became more than that. It became a way to let others know they weren’t alone, to inspire and support people with ulcerative colitis, Crohns, people with Ostomies and Jpouches.

As I wrote more about self esteem, body image and confidence as well as parenting, my audience grew to people without IBD and I realised I had an opportunity to share an ethos of being So Bad Ass.

I LOVE my blog, it means everything to me. Knowing that I make a difference and help people gives me purpose, drive and a deep happiness.

To see my baby blossoming into something that is being seen by millions is scary, overwhelming but makes me so proud.

The past 18 months have been the toughest of my whole life. But to know that something good has come of this means everything.

Thank you all

Be kind yo…

✌️& ❤️

Sam x

38 replies
  1. Katy Leckie
    Katy Leckie says:

    Totally deserved. I was so chuffed when I started finding links back to your blog on completely separate facebook groups. You reached the Pelvic Organ Prolapse ladies with your post, and helped them too, so your message is spreading in all sorts of health issues.

    Reply
  2. Katy Leckie
    Katy Leckie says:

    Totally deserved. I was so chuffed when I started finding links back to your blog on completely separate facebook groups. You reached the Pelvic Organ Prolapse ladies with your post, and helped them too, so your message is spreading in all sorts of health issues.

    Reply
  3. Louise
    Louise says:

    Hey Sam,
    I saw your open letter and it led me to your blog. I think it’s great how you’re promoting awareness and informing people like me who previously knew nothing about bowel disease about what it is and everything else discussed in your blog.
    All the best,
    Louise

    Reply
  4. Louise
    Louise says:

    Hey Sam,
    I saw your open letter and it led me to your blog. I think it’s great how you’re promoting awareness and informing people like me who previously knew nothing about bowel disease about what it is and everything else discussed in your blog.
    All the best,
    Louise

    Reply
  5. windyone
    windyone says:

    I think that the provision of public toilets needs looking at; it’s almost as if the decision makers have never included anyone with a bowel, bladder or menstrual problem (or perhaps they just don’t talk about what we actually do in there when they make their decisions). I’ve had bowel and menstrual problems, although the menstrual problems have disappeared now as I’m old, but the bowel problems persist, and I’ve been stuck in a cubicle badly needing space, privacy and washing facilities.
    Also, public toilets seem to be relegated to inaccessible corners in most towns, nowhere central to the shops, and poorly signposted. In the middle of any painful bowel crisis, I find my ability to read signposts and navigate is severely curtailed, in direct proportion to the degree of pain.
    I’ve resorted to carrying a camping toilet in the back of my people carrier, from living so long with the unpredictability, but there’s nothing dignified in sitting hunched over in the back of the van while partners and children stand outside in the rain…just thank heavens for dark tinted windows 😛

    Reply
  6. windyone
    windyone says:

    I think that the provision of public toilets needs looking at; it’s almost as if the decision makers have never included anyone with a bowel, bladder or menstrual problem (or perhaps they just don’t talk about what we actually do in there when they make their decisions). I’ve had bowel and menstrual problems, although the menstrual problems have disappeared now as I’m old, but the bowel problems persist, and I’ve been stuck in a cubicle badly needing space, privacy and washing facilities.
    Also, public toilets seem to be relegated to inaccessible corners in most towns, nowhere central to the shops, and poorly signposted. In the middle of any painful bowel crisis, I find my ability to read signposts and navigate is severely curtailed, in direct proportion to the degree of pain.
    I’ve resorted to carrying a camping toilet in the back of my people carrier, from living so long with the unpredictability, but there’s nothing dignified in sitting hunched over in the back of the van while partners and children stand outside in the rain…just thank heavens for dark tinted windows 😛

    Reply
  7. Anna
    Anna says:

    Your open letter really resonated with me.
    I have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and anxiety. However, to the untrained eye, I look like a perfectly healthy 29 year old.
    I often need to use disabled loos as they are much easier for me to access and often, I just can’t queue/stand for long periods of time, but the looks and comments I get are so disheartening. And it’s not just loos either. It’s using a wheelchair in public, using other conveniences etc

    Apparently a lady my age isn’t allowed to be ill or disabled.

    Thankyou so much, for making hidden illness less taboo

    Reply
    • Lunochka
      Lunochka says:

      Word to Anna, cos minus the RA and chair (but sometimes plus a scooter), we’re in the same leaky canoe and are about the same age. Most of the time I can activate the “don’t care, gonna adapt my environment to me” switch. There are days when it doesn’t work.

      Amazing letter. Amazing woman, you.

      Reply
  8. Anna
    Anna says:

    Your open letter really resonated with me.
    I have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and anxiety. However, to the untrained eye, I look like a perfectly healthy 29 year old.
    I often need to use disabled loos as they are much easier for me to access and often, I just can’t queue/stand for long periods of time, but the looks and comments I get are so disheartening. And it’s not just loos either. It’s using a wheelchair in public, using other conveniences etc

    Apparently a lady my age isn’t allowed to be ill or disabled.

    Thankyou so much, for making hidden illness less taboo

    Reply
    • Lunochka
      Lunochka says:

      Word to Anna, cos minus the RA and chair (but sometimes plus a scooter), we’re in the same leaky canoe and are about the same age. Most of the time I can activate the “don’t care, gonna adapt my environment to me” switch. There are days when it doesn’t work.

      Amazing letter. Amazing woman, you.

      Reply
  9. Sandra
    Sandra says:

    Your fantastic ‘rant’ popped up on my FB feed and I read your whole blog from beginning the end yesterday. So encouraged by your honesty and advocacy for people with chronic disabilities.

    Reply
  10. Sandra
    Sandra says:

    Your fantastic ‘rant’ popped up on my FB feed and I read your whole blog from beginning the end yesterday. So encouraged by your honesty and advocacy for people with chronic disabilities.

    Reply
  11. Mr Ben Groom
    Mr Ben Groom says:

    Congratulations! I just found your blog because of your open letter. Somebody I care deeply about has IBS, and while it’s nowhere near as serious, it’s good that your well written, good hearted open letter has helped with awareness of some of the hassles and horrors people have to deal with every day.

    Brave move, and I for one salute you. You deserve all the success you’re getting.

    Reply
  12. Mr Ben Groom
    Mr Ben Groom says:

    Congratulations! I just found your blog because of your open letter. Somebody I care deeply about has IBS, and while it’s nowhere near as serious, it’s good that your well written, good hearted open letter has helped with awareness of some of the hassles and horrors people have to deal with every day.

    Brave move, and I for one salute you. You deserve all the success you’re getting.

    Reply
  13. Jacki
    Jacki says:

    OK, I’m hooked. I’m a UC sufferer, public toilet embarrassed user and someone who aspires to be as brave as you! Keep up the good work, I’m adding you to my feed immediately and if you happen to need support from people who get the whole thing (like knowing every single toilet opportunity between your home and your office..and the opening hours/coin activated requirements) please go ahead…

    Reply
  14. Jacki
    Jacki says:

    OK, I’m hooked. I’m a UC sufferer, public toilet embarrassed user and someone who aspires to be as brave as you! Keep up the good work, I’m adding you to my feed immediately and if you happen to need support from people who get the whole thing (like knowing every single toilet opportunity between your home and your office..and the opening hours/coin activated requirements) please go ahead…

    Reply
  15. Lesley
    Lesley says:

    Good on you for your rant. And I’m sure everyone in the same situation as you is standing up and giving you a round of applause.

    I had a j-pouch for 6 months and having to use public toilets was a nightmare. You need to have the basin right next to the toilet and you need space and a place to put ‘equipment’ on and you really don’t get this in a normal ladies toilet. These requirements are not a luxury they are a must have. I always had to make sure what the toilet facilities were like before I could spend any amount of time in a place, and although you would like to think about how clean they were, I was just happy to have them near by.

    If you only change the mindset of one person you have made a difference, and I’m sure you have touched the hearts of thousands of people, so well done you !!

    Reply
  16. Lesley
    Lesley says:

    Good on you for your rant. And I’m sure everyone in the same situation as you is standing up and giving you a round of applause.

    I had a j-pouch for 6 months and having to use public toilets was a nightmare. You need to have the basin right next to the toilet and you need space and a place to put ‘equipment’ on and you really don’t get this in a normal ladies toilet. These requirements are not a luxury they are a must have. I always had to make sure what the toilet facilities were like before I could spend any amount of time in a place, and although you would like to think about how clean they were, I was just happy to have them near by.

    If you only change the mindset of one person you have made a difference, and I’m sure you have touched the hearts of thousands of people, so well done you !!

    Reply
  17. Richard
    Richard says:

    I saw your note on the metro website,well done for the letter, I have IBS and I’m male. Firstly the doctors said IBS only effects woman, so it can’t be that. then they ruled out everything esle. So i have IBS, I also have a Radar Key and a packet of loperimide that travels everywhere with me. Its hard to find a loo these days with a) a locking door, b) some loo paper c) an actual toilet seat and d) without some glory hole thru the partition. I suppose like everyone I get really annoyed with people who see me opening the toilet with my key and complain that I’m not disabled, so i should use the normal toilet. I find that train stations are the pits as they charge for the toilet and I’m seen as a fare evader. I once had to explain exactly what was wrong with me before the station staff would let me use the loo, in that case it was too late as we all know the urge becomes the splurge. When I stay in hotels I try and get an access room as there is more space around the loo, but you often get “but you are not disabled” when you check in, so i end up staying in hotels where they know me as a regular guest.
    Why is society like this, just be happy you haven’t got the same issues we have and move on.

    Reply
  18. Richard
    Richard says:

    I saw your note on the metro website,well done for the letter, I have IBS and I’m male. Firstly the doctors said IBS only effects woman, so it can’t be that. then they ruled out everything esle. So i have IBS, I also have a Radar Key and a packet of loperimide that travels everywhere with me. Its hard to find a loo these days with a) a locking door, b) some loo paper c) an actual toilet seat and d) without some glory hole thru the partition. I suppose like everyone I get really annoyed with people who see me opening the toilet with my key and complain that I’m not disabled, so i should use the normal toilet. I find that train stations are the pits as they charge for the toilet and I’m seen as a fare evader. I once had to explain exactly what was wrong with me before the station staff would let me use the loo, in that case it was too late as we all know the urge becomes the splurge. When I stay in hotels I try and get an access room as there is more space around the loo, but you often get “but you are not disabled” when you check in, so i end up staying in hotels where they know me as a regular guest.
    Why is society like this, just be happy you haven’t got the same issues we have and move on.

    Reply

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