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?

Maybe it's only a Northern Irish thing but we have JAM cards. I think it stands for Just a Moment and are recognised everywhere pretty much. Basically means if someone shows you it, you give them a bit of extra time, they don't have to disclose the illness or pay anyone for it. @SuckItup22

[quote Greensmoothie1]@XenoBitch I was just curious. I know a few people who have severe anxiety, depression and PTSD (going through therapy/treatment) and they work. I know not everyone is the same.[/quote]

Hi @Greensmoothie, like any illness it differs from person to person. At times during an 8 month severe breakdown, I was unable to talk or climb the stairs. My husband had to help me eat. It felt like I'd imagine having a brain injury to feel.
A friend of mine with anxiety couldn't string a sentence together and vomited several times a day.

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.

I have waaaay more respect for a visible did round the neck, on any lanyard. At least with a did you have to provid proof to obtain it.

@Caramellatteplease

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.

I have waaaay more respect for a visible did round the neck, on any lanyard. At least with a did you have to provid proof to obtain it.

But they are not selling them on the premise of 'other people will respect you' - so not much relevance here.

@AdditionalCharacter

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.

This. They were useful a few years ago. Now, shop assistants are more likely to treat them like a sign saying, "I am an entitled pain in the arse", because of the type of people who have appropriated them.

@SignOnTheWindow fair enough, I hope you are okay now. I know what it’s like to have a breakdown. @AllYouCanEatBrestaurant I wouldn’t say the lanyards have been hijacked. Most people who wear them nowadays have a condition that means they struggle to wear a mask (physical or psychological condition). They don’t want to be confronted. People who don’t wear a mask just go into places without a mask.

[quote FawnFrenchieMum]@elelel I’m aware of that but for sake of £10-£15 for 3 years it’s just so much easier to carry and show the cards then other paperwork.

I do wish there was an official government / council issued one though.[/quote]
I can understand the reasoning behind why you would want something that confirms you have additional needs and hence why this has been set up, but unless it’s through an officially recognised scheme it has no accreditation/validity and so is essentially a waste of money.

I could set up a website saying I’ll issue a red disability card for those who are on higher rates and yellow cards for those who are on lower rates of benefits and charge you £30 a year and ask you to send me all your incredibly personal benefits information, but I promise to keep it to myself honest. The fact that you may be paraplegic but got compensation for accident that caused it so have never applied for benefits means you’re not eligible for one though!

Back in the late 90’s councils were supposed to keep a register of disabled people under the chronically sick and disabled persons act 1984 for planning services etc (if memory serves). As a duty officer in Social Services we used to get people asking to be registered so we did a quick chat with them and then gave them a letter confirming it. Suspect that no longer exists now though.

@Twitchynose I don’t claim benefits so it’s not linked in the slightest. Yes I’m aware they are not ‘official’ as no such card exists, but the majority of places accept it.

@Chunkymenrock

No. I would shop online and have groceries delivered. I would not want to put myself repeatedly in anxiety causing situations.

I don’t know about OP @Chunkymenrock but for some disabled people (and for me specifically) “just shop online” isn’t the answer. For example, the supermarkets that deliver to me have a £40 minimum spend. I live alone, my shopping doesn’t always reach that.

[quote FawnFrenchieMum]@Twitchynose I don’t claim benefits so it’s not linked in the slightest. Yes I’m aware they are not ‘official’ as no such card exists, but the majority of places accept it.[/quote]
@FawnFrenchieMum Apologies didn’t read the full eligibility for the card properly, can see it doesn’t need to be benefits linked now.
As I said, I totally see the benefits of having such a card, but it seems a high price to me for something that isn’t “official”, however it suits your needs so it’s worth it to you.

I have a lanyard but don’t wear it now, after it was hijacked by people claiming they couldn’t wear a mask it’s seemed pointless because it has become completely misunderstood. I have worn my lanyard and a mask and had cashier in supermarket ask me why I’m wearing a mask if I’m exempt, if they don’t have a clue why your wearing it it’s not h
going to really be of any benefit. The only help I’ve ever been offered was at a UK airport when I was taken to a shorter que in passport control, but I would expect the help and recognition there as it was the airports that started the sunflower sceheme.