A woman gifted her best friend who suffers from a chronic condition with a thoughtful map to help her on her travels.
Samantha Sprunger, 28, and Lauren Turner, 28, both from Indiana, embarked on a last minute trip to Zurich, Switzerland, to meet Turner's boyfriend, Arno Groll, 28.
When the trio explored the Swiss city, Turner and Groll surprised their best friend in a heartwarming moment—by gifting her with a toilet map.
A toilet map may be an unusual way to discover a new city, however for Sprunger, who suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it ensured her anxiety was at ease so she could make the most of her trip.
The viral video revealing the smart tip for travelers suffering with stomach issues received over 270,000 views and 42,100 likes, inspiring other jetsetters to make similar plans.
Sprunger (@Samantha_Angelie) told Newsweek: "Most people probably wouldn't consider a toilet map a surprise or a gift, but I felt really cared for.
"It's amazing to have friends that listen to your needs, don't make you feel embarrassed about your belly issues, and help look out for your well-being without being asked."
IBS is a common disorder that affects the stomach and intestines, also called the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both, according to Mayo Clinic. IBS is a chronic condition that you'll need to manage long term.
Lifelong best friends, Turner and Sprunger met in kindergarten and set off on an exciting road trip across the south of the U.S. for the entire month of April.
They decided in a spur of the moment decision to fly out to Zurich to visit Turner's long-distance lover, Groll.
Sprunger revealed it was her first time traveling to Europe and despite being overcome with excitement, she felt some anxiety about accessing toilets in a new continent.
She added: "IBS can be really demanding. Before we left Lauren told me they had a funny surprise for me but wouldn't give me any hints."
Turner and Groll waited for the perfect moment to unveil the surprise—when Sprunger first complained of needing to use the restroom.
Sprunger said: "Arno pulled it out and not only did we have a good laugh, I was feeling pretty grateful!"
Her best friend revealed how she hatched the plan with her boyfriend to ease Sprunger's worries.
Turner told Newsweek: "I wanted her to feel more comfortable traveling because she was a little anxious about it, so I let my boyfriend know about her IBS and he told me that he would print off a map and we would surprise her with it! She was so appreciative of it."
TikTok expressed their admiration of the touching gesture and even shared tips for other travelers suffering with IBS.
One user said: "No that's so nice cos then the stress flare up doesn't happen."
Another commented: "This is actually the most thoughtful thing ever."
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