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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Sunflower Lanyards have been hijacked

249 replies

Sharkology · 07/07/2021 10:08

By those who just don't want to wear a mask in some cases rather than those who actually cannot wear a mask?

Fourth Avanti train trip this week, had three train journeys with them a couple of weeks back - either they have a bloody awesome EDI hiring policy, in which case it should be published as national pride, or some of their staff are taking the piss.

I've seen two members of staff out of around 50 actually wearing a face covering.

It absolutely devalues the sunflower lanyards for those who really need to use them. It's such a shame for all with hidden disabilities.

OP posts:
WeatherSystems · 07/07/2021 12:07

@withlotsoflove

It’s interesting that l commented on this thread to show my support for people needing extra help / using a lanyard genuinely - to be met with posters not even reading what l have written. Previously l worked with people with Autism/ learning differences. My own son & brother are on the spectrum. I am as far as removed from being disability unaware as they come. Unless you’ve worked in retail during this pandemic, you’ll have no idea of the bastards that are out there… undermining systems and protective measures that we have in store to protect genuine users of the lanyard.
We're responding to this:

At one time the sunflower lanyards would prompt us to offer / or be mindful that these customers might need extra help.
Not anymore.
I wouldn’t engage with most of the people wearing one now / let alone offer them assistance these days. 😡

You openly stated you wouldn't engage with most of the people wearing one, LET ALONE offer them assistance. Because you've decided that you can tell whether someone is 'faking it' or not, and therefore pick and choose who to give assistance to based on that.

How about you treat everyone with respect, offer assistance (if needed) to anyone wearing a lanyard, and do your job instead of sitting there bitterly guessing who is and isn't worthy in your eyes? I wish I knew where you were employed.

RevolvingPivot · 07/07/2021 12:08

@MouldyPotato

Seriously? You have no idea how many people self-diagnose autism?

Yes I have no idea how many people self-diagnose autism. Why would they do that? Just see the dr and get on the track for proper diagnosis.

I'm in various Facebook autism groups and I'd never heard of self diagnosed autism before but there are hundreds.
RosaDiazRocks · 07/07/2021 12:09

@MouldyPotato

osbertthesyrianhamster I am sorry my only experience is with adult autism and they went to dr who then referred them and they got a diagnosis. I didn't know it was so hard.
In that case the person you knew was extremely lucky. It usually takes years unless you go private, in which case it takes hundreds of pounds
hennaoj · 07/07/2021 12:09

The lanyard isn't even meant to be a sign of not needing a mask. It's supposed to be for those with invisible disabilites, especially autistic children who may need extra help in public spaces. Instead I keep seeing Supermarket staff using them for their passes!

osbertthesyrianhamster · 07/07/2021 12:09

@MouldyPotato

osbertthesyrianhamster I am sorry my only experience is with adult autism and they went to dr who then referred them and they got a diagnosis. I didn't know it was so hard.
It's been a joke getting diagnosed for a long time and I can imagine now with wait lists it's even worse. Getting one privately can cost thousands. Plenty can't even 'just see the doctor' anymore for even quite urgent needs. Why on Earth should disabled people have to go and waste even more time proving that they're disabled again because a load of random judgy people don't like it? Nah.
CharlotteRose90 · 07/07/2021 12:09

Yep people are abusing them and it’s an actual joke. To wear one doesn’t mean you’re mask exempt either it just means you have a hidden disability which clearly people don’t understand. I work for an airline and I’ve had about 50 arguments this past week of people rocking up with them to the airport, not showing the proof that they are exempt and being denied travel. Just put a mask on and stop whinging. They are ruining it for the people that actually can’t wear them. I hope the sunflower lanyard changes soon to a proper one that you get from the doctors or somewhere .

Shanghaisprize · 07/07/2021 12:11

It has become the Lanyard of Entitlement

Yeah, this.

DS has Autism and I got him one a while back. He's never worn it, and now never will.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 07/07/2021 12:14

I hope the sunflower lanyard changes soon to a proper one that you get from the doctors or somewhere .

So disabled people have to struggle to get a fucking GP appointment to again prove to others that they're disabled? Hmm GPs and the NHS have to waste more time and resources dealing with already diagnosed patients? And I can see there being a charge for this, just what people who have a disability need, said no one ever.

Fuck that.

haveibeencaughtout · 07/07/2021 12:15

I don't think you can be exempt here in France. Mask-wearing has been compulsory in all public spaces since the beginning of all this. That meant as soon as you left your front door, basically. If there are people who can't wear a mask, they don't go out. I have NEVER seen anyone refuse to wear one. Never even heard of it over here.

MouldyPotato · 07/07/2021 12:15

RosaDiazRocks osbertthesyrianhamster
thank you both for educating me. They are indeed lucky. It took about a year and we thought that was a while. Then they went to an assessment centre and people close to them had to do questionnaires. I can see now why people have to self diagnose.

Ponoka7 · 07/07/2021 12:16

@igelkott2021, it isn't that we are an unhealthy country, it's because we treat and people survive serious illnesses. Also people can be safe when declaring themselves HIV/chronic Hepatitis etc to their doctors.

We also, compared with many countries treat children with special needs well. In some cultures they are either locked away, or left to die via malnutrition, chest infections, accidents etc. So be specific in the countries that you are comparing the UK to. I have a Nigerian friend who won't take her autistic son with her to Nigeria. He will be in danger. Likewise someone whose Son has a brain injury.

Some of the adults aren't wearing masks so they can communicate with their children. Some members of Staff aren't wearing them because they are a barrier to communication. People shouldn't have to wear badges to say that they are deaf etc. In twelve days there's no more masks and social distancing. Really the masks should have went in June and we keep social distancing. There's no decisions being made based on science or numbers or the Delta variant. As Chris Whitty said, you've got to learn to live with Covid and get back to normal life.

MouldyPotato · 07/07/2021 12:17

Mind you that was about a year after they finally found a GP who listened seriously to the issues they were having.

CharlotteRose90 · 07/07/2021 12:17

Well I agree with it and I’m disabled myself. How else are we meant to stop people abusing them and just grabbing them for free from a supermarket or buying them from Amazon for cheap. They weren’t designed for everyone to use and abuse so yes they need changing and if you genuinely need one a doctor or nurse should be able to give you one. I know in the airport where I work you need a letter anyway now thank god we don’t accept them.

TheLovelinessOfDemons · 07/07/2021 12:18

I wear a lanyard and a mask. My lanyard is to hopefully stop other customers treating me like shit.

CharlotteRose90 · 07/07/2021 12:19

Oops my reply was to @osbertthesyrianhamster

Bloodypunkrockers · 07/07/2021 12:19

@CharlotteRose90

Well I agree with it and I’m disabled myself. How else are we meant to stop people abusing them and just grabbing them for free from a supermarket or buying them from Amazon for cheap. They weren’t designed for everyone to use and abuse so yes they need changing and if you genuinely need one a doctor or nurse should be able to give you one. I know in the airport where I work you need a letter anyway now thank god we don’t accept them.
Yes

I have no issue with providing proof to get a lanyard

We do it for the blue badge. We pay did that too, but it's worth it

Emmelina · 07/07/2021 12:19

I agree. I was in B&M the other week and a family (I assume) of five, four of them adults, all with lanyards.
All of you are medically exempt? Really?

I remember when the lanyards were first a thing, for airport (and later shop) staff to know who they need to assist.

They’re very cheap to buy, with no checks in place. 72p for the lanyard. Cards to attach start at 60p. I could claim I have anything I choose that sounds most scary, and use it to walk right through unchallenged, because many see the lanyard as Law.

Ponoka7 · 07/07/2021 12:20

@osbertthesyrianhamster, you won't need a GP appointment because your GP will be aware of your disability. My adult DD as someone who has ASD and LD'S is entitled to a yearly checkup. It would be an unusual situation were you needed a lanyard but your GP didn't know. It could be done like the flu vaccine appointment etc. Our practice nurse sees to all this stuff.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 07/07/2021 12:21

@CharlotteRose90

Well I agree with it and I’m disabled myself. How else are we meant to stop people abusing them and just grabbing them for free from a supermarket or buying them from Amazon for cheap. They weren’t designed for everyone to use and abuse so yes they need changing and if you genuinely need one a doctor or nurse should be able to give you one. I know in the airport where I work you need a letter anyway now thank god we don’t accept them.
'We' are not. Stop judging people who don't use a mask. And no, people shouldn't have to use more NHS resources to prove they 'genuinely' need one. Which airport is this? You thank a divine power that disabled people have to go through more hoops to be treated how they deserve? Hmm
Ponoka7 · 07/07/2021 12:21

@Emmelina they could have the exemption for the child. I take out a non verbal little boy who has ASD, we are exempt when with him.

Thunderpunt · 07/07/2021 12:22

The positive aspect of this is that those who wear the lanyard currently as a way of getting around wearing a mask, soon won't have to - but the exposure of the lanyard will mean people have a greater understanding of what it's for in the future.
Several years ago, the only people who seemed to know what it represented was Sainsbury's and Airport staff IME.

Obviously there will still be a few that try and use one to get round things.... but I'm sure they will be all but forgotten about by the masses of con artists once mask wearing is not mandatory.

INeedToBuyaZoo · 07/07/2021 12:23

If they are like my train company they have their health data recorded, they know who is vulnerable etc

TheLovelinessOfDemons · 07/07/2021 12:23

[quote SorrySoldOut]@LonginesPrime but the lanyard isn’t for people with disabilities[/quote]
Yes it is.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 07/07/2021 12:23

[quote Ponoka7]@osbertthesyrianhamster, you won't need a GP appointment because your GP will be aware of your disability. My adult DD as someone who has ASD and LD'S is entitled to a yearly checkup. It would be an unusual situation were you needed a lanyard but your GP didn't know. It could be done like the flu vaccine appointment etc. Our practice nurse sees to all this stuff.[/quote]
You still need to contact the surgery and someone still has to use their time on this. Yearly checkup? Never heard of this entitlement. Can't get through to our surgery for love or money. Very common in the UK from what I hear.

SofiaMichelle · 07/07/2021 12:23

Quite. Why does the UK have such a high level of exemption compared to just about everyone else. It must be 30-50% in some places.

Exemption?

I think you've spelled 'entitlement' incorrectly there, @BarbaraofSeville

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