Sunflower lanyards/communicating you have a disability

[one_step_closer]

I'm guessing people will have heard of the sunflower lanyard scheme where you can wear a lanyard with sunflowers on it in some airports etc to communicate that you have a hidden disability and might need some more help. Some supermarkets and other places recognise them too and they are being recognised unofficially in general.

I'm not sure how well recognised they are in my area but I ordered one and combined it with an idea I had a while ago about a card letting charity/energy people who stop me on the street know that I can't interact with them. I am very easily pressured into signing up for things because I'm so anxious or I worry that I appear rude by walking away if I can't say "sorry I'm busy" or whatever. So I'm thinking of trying this card attached to my lanyard for very exceptional circumstances. Do you think it's a bad idea/cringey/what? I'm not sure if I will even be confident enough to use it but I think it's better than walking away if I'm too anxious to speak or whatever. The part saying I have MH problems is maybe unnecessary.

Maybe something similar would be useful for you.

(Imgbb is down so I've had to attach a lower quality image).

Also, apologies for the cat hair in the photo!

[nonperson]

I think it's a good idea adding your own message on there. Even if you don't use it but have it on you when you're out, it might help you feel more able to handle the situation if it arises.

[Koala hugs]

I think it's a good idea if it helps and works then it could be invaluable might have to get one for when my selective mutism plays up and I stop talking altogether mind u I don't half get embarrassed about admitting it so sometimes I just let people think I'm rude

[not_so_insig]

I agree with the others. I am curious where you got it from because I could do with one when visiting the supermarket especially.

[Indigo.]

I got the lanyard at the airport after having multiple public meltdowns, and becoming nonverbal, and it really helped.

I wear it all the time now, in an effort to spread the word about it, and I've been meaning to make a zine/card thingie to explain I'm autistic/can be nonverbal/not to touch me/how to help, though I haven't gotten around to it yet.

So yeah, I think it's a great idea as I'm basically doing the same thing. If you're not sure whether to say "MH problems", you could just say "anxiety" and it would still make sense X

[one_step_closer]

Dawn, you can get them from here https://www.hiddendisabilitiesstore.com

[not_so_insig]

Thanks Lindsay I have ordered one now.

[EyelinerAndCigarettes]

This is a great idea, I hope it helps you, Lindsay

[one_step_closer]

Do you think there's a more generic thing I could put on the badge since this is really for specific situations? I know the lanyard itself is supposed to show that you have a hidden disability but not everyone knows that.

[Auror.]

I guess my only thought would be something similar to the do not distract badges I have on my dog's vest when she's working. One of the other things we have is a little like, stop sign thing on our leash that says not to interact. You could maybe try something similar?

Here's a link to the stop sign thing we have since I am unsure the best way to describe it:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/5373400...detail=1&frs=1

[not_so_insig]

How about something like "I get very anxious in social situations. Please dont interact with me. If I want something I will ask."

That's assuming that you are ok going up to people and asking for help instead of being bothered by someone trying to sell you something.

[one_step_closer]

Thank you both. I was in Glasgow today and wore the lanyard but just had a little bit showing. I know it's supposed to be to let people know you might need some help but I was mostly wearing it to try and stop people unnecessarily stressing me out. No one said/did anything anyway, and I didn't come across any charity people so didn't have to use the badge part. I felt both comfortable and uncomfortable wearing it. In the train station I felt like it would make it easier for me to ask for help if I needed it, but wearing it around my own town I'm not so sure about.

[not_so_insig]

That's good Lindsay. I hope that you have some success in your home town.

[Indigo.]

I hope it ends up helping you while you're out and about! Hopefully in the future, it will become a more well known thing.

I am actually anxious about using it at the train station. I have had many incidents, and I guess the train station itself makes me very anxious.

[not_so_insig]

This popped up on an Facebook group that I am a member of. I don't know how appropriate it would be to your situation but I thought you might be interested.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/7295...sr_gallery-1-6

[yoyogirl]

But you also don't want people to draw attention to it as for example some people in the special education needs colleges have bright coloured lanyards as adults so they are clearly labelled as special needs. it even has "Joe has special needs, if he wonders off please call Jane Smith on x y z"
You want the lanyard to look like every joe blogs has them for entry in workplaces, colleges, schools etc.

[one_step_closer]

Thanks Dawn.

yoyogirl, I only wear the lanyard when i'm in an place that makes me uncomfortable and where I think it might help me to communicate my needs.

[not_so_insig]

The thing is that with the sunflower lanyard scheme is that it's recognised in all airports in the UK. With an ordinary lanyard it's not immediately obvious and that they may think that you're a business traveller who is acting odd. Unless you have something standard then it's easy to be overlooked as not everyone reads the badge/looks up. At least with it being bright you are more likely to get noticed.

At the end of the day nobody is forced to wear it and it's up to the individual if they want to wear it.

[not_so_insig]

My sunflower lanyard came today

[one_step_closer]

I hope it's helpful for you Dawn.