Lanyard ignored by abusers of family of child with disability
A YOUNG family out walking was shouted at for their child not wearing a mask, even though the child has a hidden disability and was wearing a sunflower lanyard.
The lanyard is a widely-recognised symbol that someone has such a disability, and proof of an exemption from having to wear a mask.
Masks are compulsory for most people in indoor public spaces.
The incident involving the young family was shared by We All Matter, Eh?, which is the outlet used by the Guernsey Disability Alliance to tell members’ stories.
The alliance’s partnership director, Karen Blanchford, said it took a lot for the family to get the child out in the first place and, after this very upsetting incident, it would likely be a challenge to convince the child to go out again.
Michael Ellis also wears a lanyard indicating that he is severely sight impaired and has autism.
‘For me, I know that I have different or additional needs to some other people, but having something that communicates this to others helps,’ he said.
‘How else are they meant to know?’
The lanyard is visible from a distance and says ‘please be aware’.
‘Many personal situations are not immediately identifiable,’ Mr Ellis said.
‘Whether that is about wearing masks, maintaining two-metre distance, being unable to wait in queues, communication or needing an offer of assistance.’
Lanyards can indicate to others whether someone might need an extra bit of help in one way or another.
Mr Ellis chooses to carry a physical exemption card, too, as well as having the ‘please give me space’ logo on the lanyard so that people can interact appropriately and he does not have to explain his situation often.
‘I have, admittedly, not been out much and I have been able to wear a face covering so far.
‘Nobody has adversely commented, but not everyone has moved out of the way and I certainly have not always been two metres away from people,’ he said.
Wigwam advice is avoid indoor places if child cannot wear mask
SOME parents in special needs support group Wigwam have said that they have children who, for sensory or other issues relating to their disability, cannot wear masks.
Those children are advised to wear a lanyard when out in the open so other people can see that they have a reason for not wearing a mask. It also reminds others to ensure social distancing is adhered to, in case the child does not know to do it themselves.
‘We have also advised that children who can’t wear a mask, as much as possible, keep away from indoor public places because they are going to be at a higher risk of infection than if they were wearing a mask,’ Wigwam’s Susie Gallienne said.
‘We appreciate this is difficult and doesn’t feel fair, especially for single parents who have no one to look after their children who need extra supervision and can’t be left, but reducing the spread of the virus has to be a priority and Wigwam has volunteers who will get the shopping and run errands for families in this position.’
Shame few must judge
PHILIPPA STAHELIN from Headway Guernsey, a charity supporting islanders with head or brain injuries, said most members have been able to wear masks when out in public.
‘We have a few members who use the lanyards for travelling, and a couple of guys who asked to have one in case they struggled with mask wearing, but in general, our members feel that feeling safe with a mask on is a better option for them anyway as so many have underlying health conditions.’
She said it never ceases to amaze her how some people expend so much energy on keeping an eye on other people and judging.
‘I appreciate that it’s only a few, but it’s such a shame.’
Deaf people can feel isolated
PARENTS may choose not to wear a mask when out walking with hearing impaired children for safety reasons.
Leonie Burrows, from the Guernsey Deaf Children’s Society, said masks can make voices muffled and prevent people with a hearing loss from reading lips or seeing facial expressions.
‘It can be incredibly isolating for the deaf community,’ she said.
‘I have four people in my house with a hearing loss. We rely on lip reading and, although I intend to use a mask in public, I have a lanyard in case I need to remove it to be understood.’
