Hidden Disabilities lanyard

[weeleighluigi]

Originally Posted by discostu

to be fair and clear the Cork Airport people wanted a letter from our doctor which is fine I think there is always the danger of people abusing it especially when it is a hidden disability

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I suppose I can see why... but that's a real shame. My daughter has nothing officially written down, she is currently going through assessments for an ASD and sensory disorders. I always speak to them and say this, she is an anxious child and uses tools to keep herself calm, such as putty and squishy things and noise cancelling headphones and worry dolls. The airline always give her a special assistance baggage allowance for her weighted blankets to go in the hold, and extra hand luggage allowance if she needs it for her weighted teddy. She hides her anxiety and her feelings of terror imensly well.

[gjdjud]

My daughter used one at Gatwick and will do so again in May. She is visually impaired and there is no way you'd know unless she was using her cane. She felt so much happier having it as she was really worried about going through security and them pointing out where to go and she would not see. Really useful.

[floridasgirl]

Originally Posted by weeleighluigi

I suppose I can see why... but that's a real shame. My daughter has nothing officially written down, she is currently going through assessments for an ASD and sensory disorders. I always speak to them and say this, she is an anxious child and uses tools to keep herself calm, such as putty and squishy things and noise cancelling headphones and worry dolls. The airline always give her a special assistance baggage allowance for her weighted blankets to go in the hold, and extra hand luggage allowance if she needs it for her weighted teddy. She hides her anxiety and her feelings of terror imensly well.

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We didn't have to show anything at Manchester to 'prove' it. In a way I don't think you should either, there is a risk that it will be abused this way but let that be on the abusers conscience.
Both my children benefited, it doesn't necessarily fast track anything but was very useful. For instance tbey took us down to the runway (Ryanair!) in the lift rather than going down a stair case where theyvwere holding people in a queue. Both mine would gave struggled as dd has panic attacks in crowds and ds is noise sensitive!

[floridasgirl]

Originally Posted by gjdjud

My daughter used one at Gatwick and will do so again in May. She is visually impaired and there is no way you'd know unless she was using her cane. She felt so much happier having it as she was really worried about going through security and them pointing out where to go and she would not see. Really useful.

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My ds is visually impaired (not enough to need a cane though) as well, never actually think of getting assistance, so used to just dealing with it. Both dd and ds have other issues so that always dominates thoughts!

[gismo1554]

Originally Posted by gjdjud

My daughter used one at Gatwick and will do so again in May. She is visually impaired and there is no way you'd know unless she was using her cane. She felt so much happier having it as she was really worried about going through security and them pointing out where to go and she would not see. Really useful.

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This is my exact reason for getting one. I often travel solo and although I can get around in day to day life easily, my visual field is extremely limited so in crowds and in busy airports for example I really struggle. I do use my cane but sometimes that is ignored and having the option of the lanyard is great as it gives people that extra bit of info to help. If people abuse the system and just use it to skip the queue then shame on them! I am happy to queue but need help to ensure I can actually travel through the queue without causing other people or myself injury! If people would rather I trip over their children and cause them injury I'm happy to do so

[doublejay]

I have just received a lanyard in the post from Gatwick after virgin suggested having one as I have MS. I don't plan on asking to skip the line at Orlando but if it is offered I will be happy to accept as will make things easier for me.

[NewtoOrlando]

I wish I had used special assistance when I was first diagnosed with heart failure at the ripe old age of 26! I can’t use a chair all the time because I have to try to keep moving and keep the blood flowing, and don’t have my own. At 37 I have traveled many times and last year was the first year I used it and it was an absolute godsend. Not so much at Heathrow, but getting of in Miami. My legs were so swollen (poor circulation and water retention) and I was utterly exhausted, there was no way I could have walked from the gate to immigration and then onto baggage claim and the car hire garage. I was exhausted beyond belief. Had I not had wheelchair assistance it would have made that whole process 100 x worse than if should have been, not just for me, but for my husband and kids. They hate seeing me struggle like that, and I hate having to resort to it. But, I will 100% be using it again in Orlando this year. Not because I want to jump the queue, but because I didn’t ask to have a health condition that is beyond my control and if using special assistance and a chair help make the process easier for everyone, I am going to use it.

[Kem99]

I can't deal with my special needs child sometimes.
I’ve struggled.
I will continue to struggle.
Then I have to deal with the judgmental looks and tutting from the sidelines

As a parent of an adopted child with special lifelong needs I can confirm that I will use everything and anything to make his and my family's life easier. If I can get something to jump queues at the airport then I will. If I can get something to jump queues at Disney then I will. I have no shame in that department!

You don't get much more vulnerable than a child with special needs.
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO SHAME IN ASKING FOR HELP, ANY SORT OF HELP, EVER.

[discostu]

Not sure if the "Doctors" note is an Irish /Cork thing. I know when we go to Universal /Busch we get an assistance pass or whatever its called and we do bring a note with us though cant remember if its even looked at. Quick story...years ago in Disney we sat down at an outdoor fireworks thing hosted by Mickey Mouse. My lady with autism is a twin and she has a brother 3 years older. The show was at night and anyway trying to keep an eye on two 7 year olds and a 10 year old was challenging. My girl is very tactile and when I turned my back she had reached over and was rubbing the dreadlocks of a very large African American gentleman he turned around and I thought he was going to kill me. I explained and apologised. He asked if he could take the child on his lap for a few minutes... we were right next to him so I said yes. He then called over 4 or 5 of his friends who all had different hairstyles I think some were called Corn rolls another chap had shaved head and another had the biggest beard ever. So my lady had a lovely 10 minutes giving everyone a little rub and all the guys were so nice and just great people. Yes hidden disabilities are painful and we help our children anyway we can but occasionally and its very occasionally we meet people who just brighten your day and your childs day

[Speakle]

First I've heard of this. Definately going to get 2 for the boys.