She’s Deaf And Uses A Sunflower Lanyard For People With Hidden Disabilities, But Her Husband Doesn’t Want Her To Use It On Their Vacation Because He Thinks She Gets “Preferential Treatment”
This woman from the UK is married and has two kids. She is also deaf on her left side and suffers from severe tinnitus– or ringing in her ears.
But, in the UK, there are what’s known as “sunflower lanyards” for people with hidden disabilities.
By wearing this lanyard, individuals are able to discreetly indicate that they may need additional support, help, or time as they navigate day-to-day activities.
“I use my lanyard a lot when I am traveling because that’s one of the things I find most difficult,” she explained.
For instance, background noise, large crowds, echoing environments, and hard surfaces make things particularly difficult for her.
“It’s horrible, and it leaves me knackered and usually with a screaming headache,” she said.
Anyway, she and her husband– along with their kids– are planning to head out for a vacation soon, and the lanyard would usually be a really useful tool for her.
But, before they left, her husband actually asked her not to wear her sunflower lanyard at the airport.
According to her husband, she gets a lot of “preferential treatment” whenever she wears the lanyard.
mimagephotos – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
He said he just was not comfortable with it, either, since it reportedly makes him and their kids look like they are “line jumping,” especially when they are able to get through airport security ahead of other travelers.
She was understandably pretty frustrated by her husband’s request and explained how it was not preferential treatment.
“It’s moving me out of situations that are difficult because of my disability,” she reasoned.
She also pointed out how her husband didn’t need to go with her if he didn’t want to. Instead, he could just wait in line with everyone else. However, she really didn’t see any reason why their kids shouldn’t just go ahead with her.
Still, her husband didn’t back down and instead only pushed further– claiming that since she doesn’t use the lanyard at work, she is “obviously” just using it at airports and train stations to jump in front of lines.
“But I work in IT, and everyone at work knows about my disability, and I have lots of adjustments in place to help me there,” she vented.
That’s why she basically just called her husband out and told him to get over himself. Yet, ever since, he has just been sulking and accusing her of being inconsiderate of his feelings. So, she is now wondering whether her husband is just being ridiculous or if he’s right that using her sunflower lanyard makes her a jerk.
Should she feel bad about using a lanyard that is meant to help her? Does it make sense why she would use the lanyard more in loud and crazy places, such as airports, as opposed to at work? Why do you think her husband cares so much about what other people think? Is she in the wrong here?
You can read the original post on Reddit here.
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