Sunflower Lanyard

[Bobbydoodle]

Hi

My lupus mainly affects my joint and muscles along with swelling and fatigue.

If I purchased the sunflower lanyard would it be recognised to help me at Manchester Airport ie to avoid queueing? And would they even recognise it as invisible disability?

[MancRhian]

They certainly do I was given the sunflower lanyard at the wheelchair section years ago. They are fantastic I can't stand for long and fatigue too

[Spanielmadlady]

You can get them free in some places..I think tesco is one of them

[Krazykat26]

Yes Bobby 🤗they should do!! They sell them at lupus UK shop which says lupus on the card 💜🌈😽😽xx

[baba]

You can book “special assistance” with the airline and they will help you through the airport to the aeroplane. Including wheelchairs lifts etc as needed.

[JenniferW]

You should let them know in advice so they can prepare help for you.

They will give you the full works, but you can say no to any individual bit. I didn't bother with the wheel chair in the departure lounge because we were only going to sit in the lounge anyway. But on the way back I was exhausted and so relieved to see the wheel chair and be whizzed along with our luggage in the golf buggy.

[Bobbydoodle]

Thanks for all your replies. I wouldn’t need a wheel chair I just know if I am stood around too long my legs swell and obviously that causes more chronic pain and then a knock on effect of my fatigue which can be like a mixture of having a feeling of cement having been poured in my legs and arms along with being given a dose of anaesthetic and trying to navigate life with physical and mental capacity impaired…all while looking well to others!

I’m hoping the lanyard will mean I can just go in a faster lane to get through and sit down as quickly as possible… won’t stop me feeling guilty though if they let me 🙈🤷🏻‍♀️

[PositiveT]

Hi. You can get one for free (without a card saying lupus) at Halifax and Lloyds banks as well as some supermarkets. So no need to buy one. I find it really helps people to give me more personal space when I'm at hospital or in the chemist.

[AgedCrone]

Right now probably not.l.but if you tick the box on your flight booking saying you need assistance they will provide a free wheelchair.If you have already booked …..look on your booking & there will be a space to add assistance….but do it asap as there are only so many assistance allocations for each flight.

[AgedCrone]

sure all the above replies were true at the time…..but please Believe me…. I worked in the airline industry for many years and today with all the cancellations ….if you don’t actually book wheelchair assistance you won’t get any assistance because that’s all there will be.Think about it..…there aren’t enough staff to check in passengers for their flights…so there will only be a skeleton staff on passenger assistance….I know that is not what anyone wants to hear…but if you need assistance PLEASE BOOK IT, asap…because right now you won’t be able to just turn up & get “service as usual”.

[Bobbydoodle in reply to AgedCrone]

Thanks. I don’t need a wheelchair or any assistance as such I was just hoping the invisible disability lanyard would mean I could use the fast track lanes… just to add I did try to buy Fast Track Passes as I always do but they are all sold out hence me wanting to try this option.

[AgedCrone in reply to Bobbydoodle]

If I were you…I really would take the wheelchair assistance if you can get it.Most UK airports are chaotic…Birmingham airport is asking people to check in for European flights 3 hours before departure.There won’t be many seats available & queuing can get very tiring…in fact I really want to visit friends & family abroad…& although I can usually navigate airports reasonably easily…I am not willing to chance having to stand for hours on end.

Don’t forget…you might also have long waits at your destination…better that sitting in a wheelchair….than on the floor! 😀😀😀

[Lily25]

Although I don't use a wheelchair normally, I do book wheelchair assistance at airports. It really helps with the fatigue and you'll be less fatigued to enjoy your holiday.There is obsolutely nothing to feel guilty about.