For many years, a common icon has been discriminated against and taken for granted in our society. We seek him out when the urge overcomes us and he helps us to locate our final destination. I am talking about the Washroom Sign Guy.

If only he could enjoy the many things that are at our disposal, but alas can never have.

Clothing becomes an issue – pants won’t stay up from lack of a waist, so suspenders it is. Sunglasses are out of the question, what with no ears to perch them on. His freakishly round head has hats slipping off the side. The joys of fine food and drink are a challenge (no mouth) and the scent of spring flowers (no nose) is always out of reach.

Even the mating ritual is a challenge because all of his competition looks identical, as do all the female counterparts.

Sports like arm wrestling are impossible. Bowling could be downright dangerous. And even though we’ve seen him stylized for a skiing sign, the polls must have been painfully poked clear through his stump so they will stay.

When trying his hand (or stump) at hitchhiking, cars would keep speeding by from a lack of a thumb to stick out in the wind. He can’t even experience road rage as “flipping someone the bird” is best left to someone with fingers.

He envies his relatives seen at the airport who can enjoy going up and down escalators, elevators and trodding up stairs.

His female counterpart can never wear anything but a generic skirt for if she donned pants from the latest fashions, there would be people everywhere attending the wrong washroom. Needless to say, her dream of wearing very pointy Manolo Blahnik shoes would have to stay in her fantasies.

So the next time we casually use the public facilities, take a moment to sympathize with the little forgotten guy on the door.

After earning her Applied Arts Diploma from the Illustration program at Sheridan College in Toronto, Jodie plied her trade at a number of different design studios and agencies in Toronto. Another one who saw the light and moved to Nova Scotia, she happily settled in Halifax for it’s small-town feel. Equally adept with pen and ink or point and click, her talent is evident in all facets of her work. Some of Jodie’s clients have included Eastlink, Saint Mary’s University and Pierceys. She’s recently started working one-on-one with some of her clients, giving her the opportunity to relate directly to their needs. In her spare time — though she’s not sure any of her time could be considered spare — Jodie is kept busy with her two young daughters and husband. Except when she plays in her dart league once a week — that’s mommy’s night out.