I first discovered the Sunflower Lanyard when reading a book by Chloe Hayden, ‘Different, Not Less’, and immediately went on the website to purchase some…. we had no idea how much of a difference it would make for Ned. At first glance, it’s just a simple green lanyard patterned with small sunflowers—but to those who recognise it, it signals something powerful: a hidden disability that may require understanding, patience, and support. Ned wears the green lanyard when he feels like he wants to and myself, my husband and Ned’s youger brother Tully wear the supporter lanyard and badge.
For us, the impact has been great. Ned has been able to access sensory rooms in places like the MCG and Scienceworks, providing him with a calm space away from the overwhelming noise and lights. At the MCG, we have not only had access to the sensory room but also had an MCG team member walk us halfway around the ground to make sure we found what we needed.
At the airport, where crowds and queues can be daunting, the lanyard has allowed us as a family to move more smoothly through security and check-in, making travel far less stressful. Even on public transport, staff have been quick to offer assistance, ensuring Ned and our family feel comfortable.
But what makes the Sunflower Lanyard so special isn’t just the practical support, it’s the awareness and understanding it fosters. Hidden disabilities come in many forms, and not all are immediately obvious. Autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders, sensory processing challenges, hearing loss, PTSD, chronic illnesses such as Crohn’s disease, diabetes, kidney disease, endometriosis and more, these conditions may not be visible, but they can make daily experiences far more challenging.
By wearing the lanyard, isn’t just about receiving support, it is also helping shift public perception about hidden disabilities. People stop, take notice, and respond with kindness. It’s a reminder that not all challenges are seen, but all deserve understanding.
One of my favorite moments was on the train when a woman noticed Ned’s lanyard and said,
Oh I like your sunflowers.
He looked to me to make sure he could talk to her and replied to her…
Do you know what this lanyard means?
He then proudly told her -
It shows that I have a hidden disability, I have autism.
He went on to explain how it helped him to show that he had a super power and that Autism means sometimes he can get really overwhelmed in busy and noisy places and -
I don’t really like trying new things.
The woman listened and by the end of their conversation, she thanked him for teaching her something new and told Ned and myself that she would make sure she shared the story of the Sunflower lanyard with people she knew. Ned might not always feel like sharing and for some people with hidden disabilities, they might wish to keep it that way, however I know each time he does he opens up conversations that lead to a more understanding world, a world that he doesn’t have to ‘fit’ into a world that just accepts without judgement.
While for now most of our experiences have been in the bigger cities, we hope that the sunflower will gain more understanding rurally, so for the Moyne Shire to be opening up understanding, encouraging conversations, and empowering staff with greater awareness is a really positive step towards creating a more accessible and inclusive community. Of course, there is always more work to be done, but initiatives like this lay an important foundation for lasting change.
