Sunflower Power
Hi, I'm Michael, and I'm a stroke survivor.
Earlier this year I traveled internationally and had the opportunity to try out my new Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard. I was pleasantly surprised by how both airport and airline staff supported me at different stages of my trip.
Hidden disabilities
Globally, one in seven people lives with a disability. That is approximately 1.3 billion people. While some disabilities are visible, many of those 1.3 billion people have a non-visible condition or a mix of both visible and non-visible conditions. These disabilities can be neurological, cognitive and neurodevelopmental as well as physical, visual and auditory, and include sensory and processing difficulties.
Making the invisible visible
Each condition creates its own mix of needs and barriers for the individual to face in their daily life. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower project was designed to create a small token, typically a lanyard or wristband, that the individual can opt to wear discreetly to tell others at work, on transport or in public spaces that there is more than meets the eye and provide support.
International travel
My first indication was when we passed the first checkpoint, showing our boarding passes and heading towards the security checkpoint. We were casually directed towards a security point on the side, and it was only when I arrived there and turned around to look for my wife behind me that I saw it. The guard who had directed us to this particular checkpoint caught the eye of her colleague, moved her hand to just below her neck, made the sign of a lanyard and nodded towards us. Very subtle but effective. And appreciated.
When we boarded the plane, I was against the window, my wife in the middle and a person in the aisle seat. Once the door was closed, the Jetstar flight attendant came to our row and asked us if we needed any support during the flight. When I said I needed to get up and walk around every few hours because of clots, the flight attendant immediately turned to the aisle seat passenger and said, “When we take off, I will come back and move you to your own row.” Then they looked at us and said “That will give you the access you need. Anything else you need?”
A little big thing
Overall, I look normal and operate normally throughout the day. However, there are times when I need a bit more support: getting belts on and off at security, holding multiple things without dropping them, being able to get up and move when needed. They are little things but big things in the moment.
Seeing that support from the airport and airline staff was wonderful to receive and touching to see such kindness in action. Thank you.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower project
You can read more about the project and purchase lanyards, wristbands and other items on their site - https://hdsunflower.com/au/