Interest in diapers started when I was young because of a weak bladder as a result of a later diagnosed genetic disorder. The genetic disorder caused full incontinence during mid life. Started in the original Attends, which were way better than hospital diapers, but they could not keep up with the flow while sleeping, so I started looking for better diapers. This was pre internet, so my search for quality diapers was through disability magazines. This allowed me to find disability clothing... cloth diapers, plastic pants, snap crotch onesies to keep diapers in place, and footed sleepers to prevent my genetic disorder from triggering really bad things while sleeping. Diapers, onesies, and footed sleepers, all required, all inherently and uncomfortably juvenile.
After an initial purchase of a half dozen cloth diapers, my wife sewed more flannel diapers to meet my needs ( several dozen). She let our young kids pick the fabric, resulting in diapers with juvenile prints (not baby prints). My family brought levity to a rough situation, and helped me get past the uncomfortable feelings of being disabled and diapered full time.
I was on the internet very early on, and while searching for disability products stumbled upon the early AB/DL community. I didn’t participate as I felt I was neither AB or DL, but incontinent. At the same time I felt I had a connection with the AB/DL community because of diapers.
A few years ago, I decided I would try participating in ADISC for support, as there is NO support for incontinence through the medical community. After reading various threads, I decided to see if I had any AB leanings. The answer was a resounding no. I also tried meeting an AB/DL face to face, where I was asked to a fetish get together. I said no. So my connection with the AB/DL community is not because of being a little, or because of a fetish (oh the joys of disability)
I wear diapers because I need diapers. I wear onesies because they keep my diapers in place. I wear footed sleepers during cooler months to keep my genetic disorder in check. I have been seen by medical professionals in all of the above without hesitation or embarrassment. I have been seen by close friends in all of the above because of medical emergency without hesitation or embarrassment.
I’m currently sitting in an ABU Space diaper, because it’s a GREAT diaper and I am tired of wearing white/purple/blue/tan disposables for 20+ years, but that doesn’t make me an AB. I have solid color footed pajamas, but also have some with juvenile prints because they were on sale for a great price, but that doesn’t make me an AB.
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So to answer the question, I believe the AB/DL moniker is a bit restrictive. I look at it as a triangular pyramid (a shape with 4 sides that are all triangles), with incontinence (physical need for diapers) as one point, DL (physical desire for diapers) as another point, and AB (mental desire for regression) as the third point, and ?? (mental desire for diapers) as the fourth point. I also believe the majority of our community reside somewhere within the triangle pyramid, not at a point. As for me, I reside on one side, very close to the incontinence point, knowing I have ?? leanings, and would probably have DL leanings if I was sexually capable.
Feel free to disagree.