Meet our Sunflower Friends
Our Sunflower Friends are Sunflower wearers who are passionate about spreading the word about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and encouraging people to support everyone living with non-visible disabilities. They can be found in our communities, both physically and online, in the workplace, at leisure and in the everyday places we all visit.
They represent the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to promote the value the Sunflower has for those who choose to use it; to improve awareness about non-visible disabilities and access needs, and to encourage acceptance in the broader community - making the invisible visible.
Athina Spann
Athina is an Autistic/Dyspraxic advocate from Cheshire who is spreading awareness of her invisible disabilities through her social media pages and podcast. She aims to reach as many people as possible to communicate that not all disabilities are visible.
“The Sunflower lanyard is important to me as it allows me to feel safe, knowing that if I ever need help in a public setting, I don't need to worry. This is because of the mass recognition.”
Follow Athina:
Let's talk disability
Bryony Moss
I am a disabled and neurodivergent actor, model, influencer and disability and mental health advocate. I was named one of the top 50 most influential neurodivergent women of 2023.
Back in 2023 I made a short educational documentary film with True Tube called “Hidden Disabilities”. The film is about my everyday life living with my hidden conditions. The Sunflower lanyard plays an essential role in my everyday life. From going to the shops and on public transport to doing photoshoots and being on set. It makes the hidden unhidden, which is amazing. It’s an aid that is useful, necessary, and stylish. It’s an aid I feel proud to wear! Let’s keep making the voice of hidden disabilities louder in everyday life to media representation and beyond.
“Everyone in society deserves to be seen, heard and represented.”
Follow Bryony:
Dr Ian Stuart
The symbol of the Sunflower is important because it makes apparent to those around that care needs to be taken towards Sunflower wearers who may or may not possess outward symptoms of a condition the cause of which is hidden and may be as disabling as those with easily recognised circumstances – an arm in a sling or a cast on a broken leg - who behave in a certain way given their outward challenges.
“I have cavernoma which is a vascular malformation of the brain or spine or occasionally manifests elsewhere in the body. Individuals with symptoms are rare - about 160 individuals are diagnosed each year.
I want to make cavernoma known through the symbol of the Sunflower, which appears so perfect, happy and carefree, but behind which lurks a terrible truth.”
Follow Dr Ian Stuart
Marcus Morgan-Valentine
I have 13 hidden disabilities and one learning difficulty. Everywhere that I go, I take my lanyard and card information. It helps me feel more independent and safe, I have this medium to communicate that I have needs due to my disability and therefore, I may need a bit more time to complete a task or interaction, I would appreciate patience, and in case I have an episode that which is hidden and therefore invisible to the eye is made visible to those around me. I want to tell others about this movement.
“The Sunflower is such a positive image. I want to help others be aware of this tool, and I want to help raise awareness more and help steer and have a voice in how things are shaped. I have got a number of people to sign up, and I am raising awareness everywhere I go.” .
nbsp;
Follow Marcus:
Sara Abdelkhalelkh
The Sunflower is important to me because. I have Twins Emlyn and Cai who have Autism. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is way let people know not all disability are visible. I have had people judge my boys look at them funny also had people say comments about use blue badge, commenting that I shouldn’t park in a disabled bay. We park there for their own safety. The reality is that it doesn’t take much for them get overwhelmed have sensory overload and run off which is very dangerous for them.
“Never judge book by its cover.”
Follow Sara
Sandy Kaur
My name is Sandy, and I am the founder of Sehhat, a not-for-profit organisation which focuses on supporting Punjabi and South Asian communities seeking Mental Health and Suicide prevention services. I am based in the East of England however; my team and I are based all over the UK. I love to read, and in whatever little time I have, I love to dive into a book and visit bookshops, especially old and independent bookshops. To match my love for books, nothing beats the combination of a slice of cake and a great cup of Indian masala tea.
When I learnt the importance of the Sunflower symbol and how it can support people from my community, I knew this was something I needed to invest in. I work heavily within the Punjabi community by educating Mental Health awareness. Many people, at some point in their lives, experience some form of mental health issue, which can stem from an emotional or physical experience as well as depression and anxiety. Other causes of mental health can be related to health conditions which may not have been diagnosed yet, such as dyslexia or MS. All of which can be completely hidden until they are debilitating. Often individuals can find it hard to explain their difficulties through words, and the Sunflower is a silent but effective way of letting someone know they need support.
I aim to bring the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower into a community who are unaware of it and ensure the Sunflower also represents a community that slips through the net. Together we can be a bigger and better support system for others.
Follow Sandy
My Sunflower Conversation