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Original poster

AIBU to question sunflower lanyards for adults at airports?

377 replies

Postjurywoes · 20/09/2026 15:51

Why do adults need sunflower lanyards at airports?
My SIL wears one as she says she can't cope..... when I asked her how she coped pre lanyards, she just said she did.

So if she coped then, why can't she cope now?

What does she think will happen at the airport? Surely adults can manage their own behaviour/actions and if they can't they shouldn't be travelling.

What does an adult wearing one, expect to happen at an airport?

OP posts:
herewegoagainonwednesday · 20/09/2026 16:12

Would you challenge the use of crutches by adults? After all, they could just crawl.
A sunflower lanyard gives you a very limited amount of help - potentially slightly quicker security, but that’s about it.

Divinedownload · 20/09/2026 16:12

Yes, I was surprised to see the sunflower brigade at my last airport visit. 🌻

Like everything in life the concept will be totally abused.

CitationNeeded · 20/09/2026 16:12

MaidOfSteel · 20/09/2026 16:10

Yes. The profusion of these lanyards means that those of us with physical disabilities are having to wait longer & longer, often on those bloody uncomfortable airport wheelchairs, to be taken to the aircraft.

It’s not a case of ‘I can’t cope…’ for us. Without this special assistance, it’s a case of I can’t go on an aircraft at all.

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There isn’t a hierarchy of disability. My dad was physically disabled and he wasn’t worse off than my dd because she is autistic.

Yulo · 20/09/2026 16:12

I wear one (at more places than just the airport) it makes people aware there is a reason I may be acting “odd”. It also alerts the staff if I’m struggling I may need assistance/help, I don’t book assistance as this is not something I always need.

IncompleteSenten · 20/09/2026 16:13

x2boys · 20/09/2026 16:09

Does he tolerate it?
Im not sure my severly autistic son would ?

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Yes, he wants to wear it. It took a while to find a material that didnt irritate him but he's happy with the one he wears now.

StarPyjamas · 20/09/2026 16:13

CitationNeeded · 20/09/2026 16:11

It really does reduce it. As they see she has a reason. We still get some grief, but nowhere near as much.

Now most people probably think she is faking it like half of Mumsnet do.

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I'm glad it makes a bit of difference.

But I'm shocked anyone would even consider acting like that Flowers

LimpRat · 20/09/2026 16:13

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cartagenagina · 20/09/2026 16:13

You might not need assistance but want to alert staff to the fact that you have a hidden disability. Is that really so difficult for you to understand?

Happytaytos · 20/09/2026 16:14

The thing that baffles me about all of this is no one has to fly.

I absolutely hate ferry travel, I get really sick so I don't do it, ever.

If a means of travel is too overwhelming, don't use it.

StarPyjamas · 20/09/2026 16:14

Divinedownload · 20/09/2026 16:12

Yes, I was surprised to see the sunflower brigade at my last airport visit. 🌻

Like everything in life the concept will be totally abused.

Brigade?

CitationNeeded · 20/09/2026 16:14

And lack of help for physically disabled people is down to poor staffing, it isn’t the fault of other disabled people trying to get support.

Ibhave travelled with both of them and just my dd. Believe me, my dad in his scooter and oxygen got a lot better and quicker support than my dd. Because physically disabled often means “properly disabled” to lots of people .

Original poster
Postjurywoes · 20/09/2026 16:14

dizzydizzydizzy · 20/09/2026 16:10

Some of us have hidden disabilities. Airports are getting busier, noisier and ever more stressful.

Not sure those of us who don't wear lanyard find them a walk in the park.

OP posts:
ChristOnAPennyfarthing · 20/09/2026 16:14

Postjurywoes · 20/09/2026 16:00

Genuine question. Pre lanyard. How did she notify staff she needed assistance.

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Before Mumsnet, how did you cope with disabled people getting special treatment like wheelchairs, prescription glasses and other luxuries because you couldn't bitch about it on here?

dizzydizzydizzy · 20/09/2026 16:15

MaidOfSteel · 20/09/2026 16:10

Yes. The profusion of these lanyards means that those of us with physical disabilities are having to wait longer & longer, often on those bloody uncomfortable airport wheelchairs, to be taken to the aircraft.

It’s not a case of ‘I can’t cope…’ for us. Without this special assistance, it’s a case of I can’t go on an aircraft at all.

Show quote history

I have got ME/CFS, POTS, ADHD and I am autistic. I look extremely well and able-bodied and yet I have 2 physical disabilities (ME/CFS and POTS) and they are both invisible. I am no less deserving than you.

Boomer55 · 20/09/2026 16:15

x2boys · 20/09/2026 15:59

Originally they were but then it was jumped on by anyone and everyone during the pandemic ( im not talking about you personallly)

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Yes. I really think (as someone disabled) that life would improve if you couldn't just buy them from places like Amazon.

Some people do abuse them. 🙄

CitationNeeded · 20/09/2026 16:15

Happytaytos · 20/09/2026 16:14

The thing that baffles me about all of this is no one has to fly.

I absolutely hate ferry travel, I get really sick so I don't do it, ever.

If a means of travel is too overwhelming, don't use it.

No one HAS to vote. Or get married. Or have an education. You are right, disabled people should just shut up and stay at home. And their families. Damn them for wanting to travel (for work, do experience).

Original poster
Postjurywoes · 20/09/2026 16:16

cartagenagina · 20/09/2026 16:13

You might not need assistance but want to alert staff to the fact that you have a hidden disability. Is that really so difficult for you to understand?

But what are you alerting them to?

Are you just telling them?

Because why do they need to know unless you need assistance?

OP posts:
attichoarder · 20/09/2026 16:16

Whilst I think sunflower lanyards have a place it has become abused. It is so easy to access them that many people wear them with no diagnoses whilst many who can file despite having a diagnoses wear one. The misuse makes many less willing to make allowances

TeenToTwenties · 20/09/2026 16:17

Happytaytos · 20/09/2026 16:14

The thing that baffles me about all of this is no one has to fly.

I absolutely hate ferry travel, I get really sick so I don't do it, ever.

If a means of travel is too overwhelming, don't use it.

But if small adjustments mean the method of travel becomes tolerable, then why would you want to prevent people from having them?

ElizabethNatalie · 20/09/2026 16:17

This reply has been deleted

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blondeboobshell · 20/09/2026 16:18

Postjurywoes · 20/09/2026 16:03

Who gives you the lanyard, airport staff?

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Yes the first time but after that they offered but we already had one

CitationNeeded · 20/09/2026 16:18

Postjurywoes · 20/09/2026 16:16

But what are you alerting them to?

Are you just telling them?

Because why do they need to know unless you need assistance?

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Because it lets people know to ask? How else would security know you might have extra needs? What if your disability is a communication disorder like autism? You might find it hard to ask for help, but be fine if it is offered?

Because it lets twats like you know that my dd is getting special treatment for a reason. It explains her erratic behaviour.

LimpRat · 20/09/2026 16:18

Happytaytos · 20/09/2026 16:14

The thing that baffles me about all of this is no one has to fly.

I absolutely hate ferry travel, I get really sick so I don't do it, ever.

If a means of travel is too overwhelming, don't use it.

But it's not too overwhelming if adequate adjustments can be made...like a lanyard for extra general assistance.. Is it genuinely hard to comprehend?

What if someone had no choice but to visit a dying relative, or for employment reasons, or whatever? Your comment is just another way of saying disabled people should stay locked in the basement and not even try to approach a normal life style. Awful.

Original poster
Postjurywoes · 20/09/2026 16:18

ChristOnAPennyfarthing · 20/09/2026 16:14

Before Mumsnet, how did you cope with disabled people getting special treatment like wheelchairs, prescription glasses and other luxuries because you couldn't bitch about it on here?

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I'm not bitching. I know my SIL doesn't need one and I know she is taking it away from someone who does.

OP posts:
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