Would you wear a sunflower lanyard...

[SuckItup22]

If you were on ESA benefits, being unable to work due to acute anxiety and depression? Do they count as 'disabilities?'

I get especially flustered in shops and thought it might help checkout assistants to give me a bit of extra time or explain why I might be a bit flustered?

Yes I would.

It's a disability if it affects your day to day life, so yes.

The sunflower lanyards were first used by people like yourself who need an extra bit of assistance when in shops. They were sort of hijacked by those who can't wear masks, then by those who didn't want to wear masks.

Most aren't wearing masks. I wouldn't worry.

Be prepared though, not all shop staff are trained in what sunflower lanyards mean. I had to explain to a self-checkout supervisor when she was really getting quite angry at a man who seemed autistic (I'm autistic myself) once.

Your income is irrelevant. Do what you need to do.

I would still be wearing a mask.

I just felt like I don't have a named disability, just general anxiety

I think lots of people recognise them now and often offer some extra assistance.

@Invasionofthegutsnatchers

Your income is irrelevant. Do what you need to do.

I felt it was relevant because it outlines that its bad enough to affect my ability to function day to day. It's not low level anxiety.

You can get a card to attach to the bottom that can give a brief description of your disability. I am sure they do ones that simply say something along the lines of "my disability means I may need extra time". They are on the Sunflower website.

Nope. Too late. Sunflower lanyards were a bloody amazing idea and awareness was just starting to be raised about their purpose when they were completely hijacked as a mask exemption sign.

Getting ESA is irrelevant but if you are likely to need help when out and about you can ask in the shop, some places will even have a member of staff walk you round if you are overly anxious.

Nobody is seeing a lanyard and understanding why you are wearing it though.

You don’t need a named disability.

Yes, that is why I wear one too.
Although, being on benefits has nothing to do with it.

If you feel you need it, wear it. The lanyard is there for hidden disabilities. It has been hijacked somewhat buy non mask wearers but the meaning is still understood. You don't need to have a diagnosis, just more of a need and understanding needed.

No because most shop assistants won't know that is what you want it to signify, its message has become unclear and confused. If you need them to do something to help you such as giving you more time then just ask them to do that you dont need to say why. Working in retail they will mostly have heard it all before, I've people tell me all sorts of things and ask for all sorts of different help.

I used to wear one before covid but they meant something then. I wouldn’t now as they’ve been appropriated by non disabled to make a point

It's the Hidden Disabilities website. Signs a bit like these (I think your can choose the words yourself)

No sunflower lanyard originated in airports where those who needed special assistance but whose disabilities were hidden. They were handed out by the actual special assistance team. They might mean you were helped through security (which can be damn difficult if you have a disability) or staff knew to take the lead from those around you if you were in crisis

They have no legal standing and you can order them on Ebay if you dont fancy wearing a mask but dont want to take and responsibility for others reaction to that decision.

Personally I dont think theres much point in the sunflower lanyards anymore. I'm trying not to say people have made them meaningless because they have used them for things like when they get a little flustered. I hope if you do use them actually the difficulties are more profound than that.

No I think they draw more attention so as someone with anxiety myself I wouldn’t want to draw more attention to myself

@JohnWaynesHorse

If you qualify there is a national disability card available- www.did-card.co.uk who will also provide a blue disability lanyard. All that is needed is proof of qualification, specifications on their website. This might be more appropriate to your situation

Goodness don't give these scammers money. There is no 'national' disability card. This is no more official then my last shite.

In my own experience I have found it helpful and respected. They seem to check that a holder is in receipt of a necessary document/ benefit so don't hand them out willy nilly?

I hope I haven't been done......... it was actually on Mumsnet that I originally learned about them........

@JohnWaynesHorse

In my own experience I have found it helpful and respected. They seem to check that a holder is in receipt of a necessary document/ benefit so don't hand them out willy nilly?

Helpful for what? This outfit exploits disabled people by charging money for a meaningless card. If you want to prove your disability you can do it yourself. These cards are not official, not needed and an absolute waste of money.

I'm sorry you were conned.

On an SEN thread too, it was parents of children with autism that said they'd found it useful- now I'm concerned 😟