Accommodating an invisible disability will usually involve a more personal touch. Stress points for people who have survived a brain injury may include anything from sensory sensitivity and brain fog to lack of short-term memory and less obvious vision impairment.

Sunflower Lanyard Cheerful Addition to Traveling with Disabilities

By Ed Danielak

Life with an invisible disability can be…extra. While everyone knows not to park in a disability parking spot (yes, we know they do it anyway), not everyone may realize a person who has survived brain injury may also need some gentle accommodation.

That can look like almost anything, and much of it won’t involve an assistive device like a arm crutch, walking cane, or wheelchair.

Rather, accommodating an invisible disability will usually involve a more personal touch. Stress points for people who have survived a brain injury may include anything from sensory sensitivity and brain fog to lack of short-term memory and less obvious vision impairment.

This can complicate many daily activities able-bodied people take for granted, such as ordering food in a noisy restaurant, navigating a space with narrow walkways or steep steps, or simply being able to sit through an entire event like a concert or party without debilitating fatigue or a migraine setting in.

So when you add travel to all of that – busy terminals, constant overhead announcements, crowded corridors and walkways, winding security lines and a lot of noise and light – even a short weekend getaway can become a stressful event.

But it doesn’t have to be, and that’s where the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower comes in. This bright, cheerful lanyard serves as notice to others that you have an invisible disability and may need additional assistance. You do not need to disclose what your disability is to get a lanyard and it’s a more subtle – and cheerful – way to signal the need for help without receiving unwarranted and unjust stigma from other people.

Since its launch in 2016, the Sunflower program has been registered with over 200 airports, universities, educational centers, government buildings and other locations nationally. International participants range from Australia and the Netherlands to the United Kingdom and most countries in Latin America. This means employees at these locations will know when they see the lanyard that you may need extra time or possibly other assistance. 

You can find places that support the Sunflower here. If a location you want to visit or already frequent isn’t registered, it’s easy to pass along the information to get them started!

So, the next time you have some travel slated, don’t stress! Just don a bright lanyard and prepare for the compliments and smiles.

ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA

The Brain Injury Association of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.

What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.