In 2024, my life turned upside down with no warning. My chronic illness flared up to the point where I wasn’t able to leave the house for weeks on end; I had to leave a job I really loved, missed Christmas with my family, and trips overseas were off the cards. After trialling new treatments and working closely with my neurologist, I finally felt like I was ready to fly overseas to visit family. The only problem? I was getting anxious about the thought of navigating the airport by myself, and knew I’d be too nervous to request extra help when I needed it. I’d heard about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard, so I ordered one and wore it for my trip from Sydney to Auckland.
The Hidden Disability Sunflower first originated at Gatwick Airport in the UK, and was brought to Australia and New Zealand by Melbourne not-for-profit organisation Bayley House. The Sunflower is a symbol that indicates the wearer may need assistance or understanding. In Australia, there are 4.4 million people who live with disability, and it’s believed that around 80% of them have invisible disabilities. They can include ADHD, autism, neurological conditions, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, cognitive and learning disabilities, and more. The first thing I noticed when putting the lanyard on before my trip was a sense of calm. As a Sunflower Business Member, Sydney Airport’s staff are trained to understand what the Hidden Disability Sunflower symbol means, so I knew I’d have the confidence to approach workers if I needed an extra hand.
