To think Sunflower Lanyards have been hijacked

[Sharkology]

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.

@haveibeencaughtout

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.

That's awful.

I work with people who have undergone serious trauma, often from being raped. Having their mouth covered is a massive trigger for panic attacks and flashbacks, even though they're doing their best to overcome PTSD with therapy. People like them are essentially excluded from public life in France.

I have twins who are autistic, non verbal etc. I was considering sunflower lanyards for them when all this started but now I know people roll their eyes at them. I just hate the staring at the park, or anywhere we have to queue.

I wish there was something (eg a card on a lanyard with a photo) that you could only get if you are in receipt of disability benefits or have a blue badge - obviously this wouldn’t be useful for mask exemption as many exempt people don’t qualify for these things. I’m just talking generally as it would be really useful on public transport, at theme parks, to prove eligibility for various things etc.

[quote Sharkology]@freelions I honestly think people who relied on the sunflower lanyards before are now going to have to come up with another alternative and it will sadly require medical sign off of some type...[/quote]
Thing is, medical sign off won't work either. I'm a GP and the number of people demanding certificates for non-existent disabilities was incredible, even before Covid. Families who have never had any mobility/socialisation problems.... till they want to go to Disneyland, then demanding a certificate so they don't have to queue. A patient who was telling me enthusiastically about her step class but, the next week (no new medical issues) wanted me to support a Blue Badge for her (in the days when GPs had to do them). And yes, one or two of these may be genuine, due to undiagnosed conditions, but not the thousands of requests of this type that each GP gets every year. If you refuse to sign them off, you get complaints that tie you up in hours of paperwork.

It makes me furious because I also have many patients with disabilities - hidden or otherwise - who would so benefit from these initiatives. I actually have a hidden disability myself, with a neurological condition, so I have every sympathy for people with hidden disabilities who get death stares from the public if they try to use disabled facilities.

I am afraid the answer is not gate-keeping by the GP or anyone else. We are way past that as a society because, for good or bad, we no longer accept gate-keeping by experts.

Both my DSs have hidden disabilities and used the lanyards in the past. They both wear masks. DS1 thinks you should only get a lanyard when you get a diagnosis. He's 13 and thinks this seems logical!

@osbertthesyrianhamster get over yourself I’m not judging anyone for not wearing a mask. All I’m saying is people abuse the lanyard system they grab it for free and think they can get away from not wearing a mask as no one challenges it as they can’t. The system needs to change. If you genuinely can’t wear a mask then don’t but don’t abuse it . Don’t need to tell you the airport thanks but all airports will be doing it soon. If you read my comment I’m disabled myself with hidden disabilities actually so well aware of any hoops
To jump through but even I see that people take the piss. Have lovely day.

I wish there was something (eg a card on a lanyard with a photo) that you could only get if you are in receipt of disability benefits or have a blue badge - obviously this wouldn’t be useful for mask exemption as many exempt people don’t qualify for these things

I think that's a really good idea, despite the limitations.

@haveibeencaughtout

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.

So autistic people similar to my children - those who literally can’t wear a mask unless you stapled it to their head because they have no concept of what a mask is, or why they’d need to wear it and don’t have the comprehension to be told to keep it on - have just had to stay permanently indoors for the last year and a bit. Is that what you’re saying?

Or are there no profoundly autistic people in France?

@Nahhh

Around half the parents at my child’s school wear the lanyards. I do not believe they are all medically exempt from mask wearing. I have severe anxiety with panic attacks and the masks are uncomfortable for me as I feel like I can’t breathe sometimes (even though I know this isn’t the case) I still wear a mask, just take it slowly if I need to.

Ditto, I had a lobe of lung removed and get SOB sometimes due to a respiratory condition me and my eldest both have, we both wear masks fine, but occasionally I will have to take it off to use and inhaler or take deep breaths.

SIL, on the other hand, had asthma as a child which has suddenly rendered her completely unable to wear a mask and compels her to post on FB about disability discrimination when someone gives her a look. Sigh.

[quote CharlotteRose90]@osbertthesyrianhamster get over yourself I’m not judging anyone for not wearing a mask. All I’m saying is people abuse the lanyard system they grab it for free and think they can get away from not wearing a mask as no one challenges it as they can’t. The system needs to change. If you genuinely can’t wear a mask then don’t but don’t abuse it . Don’t need to tell you the airport thanks but all airports will be doing it soon. If you read my comment I’m disabled myself with hidden disabilities actually so well aware of any hoops
To jump through but even I see that people take the piss. Have lovely day.[/quote]
'The system' doesn't need to change at all because the mask mandate is over on the 19th. Of course you don't need to anyone the airport where you work that's discriminating against disabled people and challening them to prove they're disabled if they're wearing a sunflower lanyway and 'not accepting' that . I'm so sure they will all 'be doing' it soon, too. Sure they will.

Hidden disabilities could mean all kinds. I don’t wear a mask and have a mask exemption badge, to look at me you’d think I’m young, relatively healthy etc, but I actually have bad anxiety and panic attacks due to past trauma and masks make me feel like I’m struggling to breathe and feeling that way whilst trying to go about daily life is a incredibly exhausting.

You don’t know the trauma people wearing them have suffered so just stay out of it. Mask wearing is over in 2 weeks anyway.

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow

I wish there was something (eg a card on a lanyard with a photo) that you could only get if you are in receipt of disability benefits or have a blue badge - obviously this wouldn’t be useful for mask exemption as many exempt people don’t qualify for these things

I think that's a really good idea, despite the limitations.

Sometimes we use the blue badge for things but obviously not if it’s needed to parking! A similar smaller card with photo on a lanyard would be so handy, not compulsory obviously but would be so much easier than having to remember to take copies of DLA award notices, EHCPs etc to get a queue jump pass or reduced admission / carers ticket.

As I say it wouldn’t solve everything but I know lots of disabled people / carers who are really reluctant to use sunflower lanyards now. I have several invisible disabilities myself which might require me to urgently need a bathroom or need a seat but I really wouldn’t want to wear one.

@Emmelina

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.

I witnessed a similar scene yesterday, a mother had brought her child for a hospital appointment, along with 3 others, none of them wearing masks. When they went to check in, the receptionist asked her to put a mask on, and she said "I dont wear one", and the receptionist said she wouldn't be allowed into the clinic, unfortunately.

Cue her getting a mask and wearing it perfectly fine, then attempting to enter with her entourage, all un-masked. The receptionist sent them to wait outside the hospital, but it made me wonder how much of that she has to deal with every day.

Ok - so what are the ideas for moving forwards to ensure people who have disabilities get the support they need?

Perhaps we can start a campaign over this - it's so essential families / individuals aren't left behind due to a further lack of support due to the dilution of the sunflower lanyard.

I also think people are going to be in for a bit of a shock thinking everywhere will be dropping masks; I suspect many organisations will keep them to protect their staff/patients/students/customers - places can still enforce them if they wish.

I'm exempt for multiple reasons, but my GP doesnt know about my trauma-related reasons - nor would I automatically expect them to know of anyone else's.

And I had no reason to tell them til mid pandemic - at which point, why would they (assuming no other reasons) believe me rather than think I'm looking for an excuse not to wear a mask?

Plus I have at times seen a GP who denys my autism diagnosis, despite it being on my (NHS diagnosis) files. What happens if that person is in charge of writing my exemption letter?

@Sharkology

Ok - so what are the ideas for moving forwards to ensure people who have disabilities get the support they need?

Perhaps we can start a campaign over this - it's so essential families / individuals aren't left behind due to a further lack of support due to the dilution of the sunflower lanyard.

Then start with social care before the bloody lanyards and masks you won't be required to wear after the 19th. That's the least of the problems for many disabled people and their families.

Left behind? Christ on a cracker, they've been totally fucked for years. Even getting a diagnosis, not to mention proper health care and that's not touching on education and social care.

I was out with a friend who also has a son with autism. They waited five years for any respite care and he attends a SN needs school, his needs are so severe. FIVE years. They're on their knees.

I don't wear a lanyard btw, as my wheelchair is visible enough - and despite what some staff may think, they aren't a legal requirement.

Also when I am able to, I do wear a mask. I can usually manage short periods of time.

SinkGirl. I don't know if you would have something similar but DC has a Young Acot (the NEC) card and it has a +1 on it so I can travel by bus free with them.

We have used that on days out - speculatively I might add - and I have been allowed in for nothing to a whole range of venues

@Sharkology

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.

Are they wearing Sunflower lanyards?!

If not weird of you assume they have one.

Young *Scot card

Sink, I have a photo of my BB on my phone, in case I forget it. A few places have accepted that.

@Sharkology

Ok - so what are the ideas for moving forwards to ensure people who have disabilities get the support they need?

Perhaps we can start a campaign over this - it's so essential families / individuals aren't left behind due to a further lack of support due to the dilution of the sunflower lanyard.

How does other people not wearing a mask effect Sunflower lanyard owners getting support?

I wear a mask always and support people with disabilities being exempt, but I don't get your logic.

@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 was 51 when I was diagnosed. It's not that easy.

WeatherSystems I think you have completely missed the point of this thread. It's not about who can and who can't wear masks.

The Sunflower lanyard was introduced for people with hidden disabilities, to indicate they may need help or more time. It has been hijacked by people who don't want to wear a mask.

I think they need to change the design of the lanyard once mask wearing is no longer compulsory, so that genuinely disabled people can be recognised again.

Self IDing of any form should be abolished IMO, it's become ridiculous all round.