Has anyone got a sunflower lanyard that they wear for severe asthma? I'm considering wearing one and I'm interested in other people's experiences. I recently watched a webinair about it that my husband watched through his work. There seems to be more awareness about it. I learned that you don't have to tell anyone what illness you have (this is the same as for assistance dogs). The green lanyard is for people who have a hidden disability. The white one is for people and companies who support the scheme.
Companies get training in how to help people who wear the green lanyard. Highlighting that we can have good and bad days. How to approach someone who is wearing one, that it's important not to judge or make assumptions regarding the person wearing it.
Written by
CANINE12
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.
I wore one during Covid lockdown, because I couldn't find a proper face covering that I could cope with (they all triggered asthma attacks, although I didn't know at the time that it was asthma) I used a visor and a cycling gaiter to limit risk as much as possible, and only went out when I absolutely had to, but it got really scary because I'd have people screaming abuse at me for not wearing one of the 'real' face coverings. This was pre-asthma diagnosis, and my GP at the time just told me it was anxiety that was causing the chest pain and breathlessness, but she gave me an NHS badge about being exempt from wearing masks to attach to a sunflower lanyard. I still got some eye-rolling and a few people asked me why I had the lanyard, but it did put a stop to the really bad abuse.
It's sad that you need to wear some kind of 'sign' to explain why you might need help/not be able to do things other people can do, but that's the world we live in. In an ideal world, everyone would be kind and assume the best anyway, but sadly, in the real world, they don't.
It sounds like a really good idea. I have issues in a lot of the bigger shops, especially supermarkets which seem to trigger my asthma. I normally avoid such shops, but sometimes I am feeling good and forget to be cautious.
The trouble with bad asthma for me is that it gives me brain fog and takes my speech away. So a lanyard scheme for when I am not with family is sensible
I'm the same - a couple of my triggers tend to be quite subtle and 'creep up' on me, so by the time I realise I'm having an issue, I'm past the stage of being able to remember what to do or explain to anyone else! Fortunately, my husband and close friends are pretty good at spotting the signs and telling me I need to change location and use my inhaler, but I'm wary of going anywhere that might be a problem if I'm on my own!
Funnily enough I saw someone wearing one yesterday, she walked by my home (I live in an old town house in the thick of life). It was really good to see because she looked like a fairly well person - as do I - and I don't suppose anyone would know she had a hidden disability without the Sunflower Lanyard.. they're about £9.99 via Amazon if anyone needs one.
Hello I have one. I got mine in lock down. I find it really good when travelling or visiting places. I don't use in shops, husband mostly does that anyway. I live in the UK and it's recognised really well. I attach it to my bag rather than wear it. You can get them free at some airports from the accessibility area if needing help. I'm going to try post a link from the hidden disability site were you can pick up for free from businesses.
I thought they were to indicate things like autism or learning difficulties. The trouble is, wearing one doesn’t indicate what help you might need. People will soon spot if you’re in real trouble. Eg if I’m attempting to climb a slope, I regularly get offered an arm. It’s very kind but I’m the sort who detests being seen as having health problems. I’d rather not advertise the fact with a lanyard, but each to their own!
They are for anyone who has a hidden disability. There are lots of conditions that are classed as such that many people aren't even aware of.
I understand from the webinair that organisations that support the sunflower lanyard are trained in how to approach a person wearing one. Key points are, ask if the person would like help (they are taught that we can have good days and bad days), be kind, don't judge (until you walk in someone's shoes you will never know how their hidden disability affects them) and be patient are but a few.
I think that it's important that people are made aware of hidden disabilities. For example if you qualify for a blue badge in the past people have judged others who have them. I've been challenged by a member of public before and I do stand up for myself. I said well I was unable to breathe in Resus the other week, now tell me I don't qualify, or words to that effect. Some people have been known to put on a limp because the general public were ignorant about hidden disabilities. I think this is changing at least here in the UK.
Some people who are having an epileptic fit have been mistaken for being drunk which is horrendous. So they have been ignored.
I also detest having health problems, however I can be suddenly triggered and in serious difficulty just coming into contact with smoke, perfume etc. I'm then unable to talk properly so I have no choice but to keep myself as safe as possible. We are all different.
Of course we are, yes. I’ve had a blue badge for 7yrs and never been challenged 🤷♀️ My disabilities probably aren’t as hidden nowadays. I wear a Medicalert bracelet just because it’s more discreet, but I hope you like your sunflower and it makes you feel safe 😊
you can get an id that states you have asthma, I have asthma and COPD, I wear a sunflower lanyard.
Owning our ‘hidden/invisible’ disability doesn’t make us less of a person, but could save a life should we lose consciousness, or become unable to communicate.
I’m 66, was born with asthma, I control it, but occasionally it bites me back.
I now use a mobility scooter because of my lungs, I own my disabilities, the don’t define me.
sorry I don’t think it’s a good idea at all. I just want to be treated normally not as someone with a disability, my choice of course but I’ve had a fabulous international career at board level In spite of lifelong severe asthma …. I would never have been given those opportunities if I’d made a big issue of having asthma - I understand my stance is not for everyone but we can all have opinions
I personally wouldn't go for a lanyard but that's just me. As Canine12 says it does depend on the individual, what their asthma is like and what they need. [edited] I maybe do a bit too much minimising of my asthma, and certainly don't announce it unless I have to tell someone.
But it's never worked for me when I try to pretend it isn't there and not tell anyone - and I certainly have tried. I get on much better when I acknowledge I have to deal with my severe, poorly controlled asthma and ensure that people I work for/with know about it and how to minimise its impact (for example, pre-pandemic working from home for a few days rather than wrestle with the tube, so I'm less likely to be off sick later.)
You're entitled to your stance in relation to your own life, but as written it also makes it look as if you think any accommodation someone else is seeking would be 'making a big issue' of their asthma. Requesting and receiving reasonable accommodations is not necessarily 'making a big issue' of something, and may actually be what enables some people with severe asthma or other health conditions and disabilities to work at all.
I have a friend who is an excellent doctor, has already won awards despite being quite junior, and has severe asthma alongside related disabilities. She wouldn't be able to do what she does without making sure her asthma and other disabilities are understood and accommodated as far as possible by everyone who needs to, so she can work safely and keep on working.
I'm glad to see you've had a successful career despite asthma and that your asthma is currently well controlled, but for some people that's not possible, either the career or the good control. Adapting to that doesn't mean they're making a thing out of it or limiting their options.
Please don't bully me for living a positive life and making every effort to keep well and controlled. I do have extremely bad patches but try not to let it limit me. I have 2 very severely disabled cousins who were not thought to live much beyond their teens but have achieved Phd's in medical research - an example to me of what can be done. I will not be told off for being positive - I mentor many with various physical and mental health conditions and I know what it can do to accept not being able to do stuff and what can be achieved with a positive outlook. You are not at all nice and am leaving this very silly group of people who just whinge about their doctors
Acknowledging others difficulties on here rather than dismissing them is important. If a post irritates you then I suggest that you take a step back and think about it from all sides for 24 hours before reacting.
I think I will clip mine onto my bag rather than wear it round my neck. I have a medical alert dog that I'm training and I have an emergency info clip of that has my medical details in it that is clipped to my bag.
On the front of mine it clearly states " I Have COPD (cronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and Asthma". On the reverse, along with a photo (optional) it says that "I may have trouble breathing and need to rest. Please be kind and understand that I may be unable wear a face mask and may need to stop and use my inhaler in a smoke-free , dust-free and fume- free environment."
I also elected to have an emerency contact number put on the reverse. I wear it when travelling and it is very useful in airports when requesting assistance. The green and yellow lanyard is very recognisable.
There seems to be different opinions on whether it's a good idea or not.
For me personally I can have sudden severe asthma attacks ( less than a minute) when coming into contact with a trigger, which is dangerous. I've been caught out and unable to communicate in the past. I've managed to treat the attack and reversed it. It leaves me exhausted.
Everyone who has Severe Asthma will have a different experience of it (as said to me by my severe asthma team). I'm pleased for those who are able to hold down a job. Or who are eligible for biological therapy and it has worked. Unfortunately so far I don't qualify and I'm symptomatic more often than not.
I have severe and brittle asthma but am very fit and well controlled- getting a bit fed up with dog friendly coffee shops to be fair and wonder why Norway has such a low incidence of attacks but similar % of people with asthma - could it be the healthy sporty lifestyle ???
Possibly better air quality, I really don't know. I used to exercise regularly and still had regular asthma attacks. Everyone experiences asthma differently.
I suspect you are right about the air quality. I know different people are triggered by different things, but so many have issues with air quality that it would make sense if better quality air resulted in fewer attacks. I've noticed when we go on holiday, I am completely symptom free in some areas but not in others.
Or could it be a range of factors including a poor level of asthma care in the UK, alongside the air quality issue others have mentioned?
A healthy sporty lifestyle doesn't help if someone can't participate in sports because their asthma isn't properly understood and isn't being treated correctly, and they're constantly being triggered by their environment outside and inside, including poor indoor living conditions with damp/mould in some cases.
The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Nasal Polyps from asthma
Eczema 
Montelukast
Biologics
