Not all disabilities are visible.

Less than 8% of disabilities require the use of a wheelchair.

Surprising, right?

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the theme is ‘Not all disabilities are visible’.

What else could be ‘wrong’ with people?

Okay, that was a trick question. The social model of disability, embraced by the disability rights movement, stresses that it is not the individual that has problems, but that society creates barriers for those who work differently or have impairments.

Hidden disabilities include mental health problems, learning disabilities, neurodiversities, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS and diabetes.

If there was one cool thing about the pandemic, it was my introduction to the Hidden Disabilities Lanyard scheme. This enables people to wear a lanyard to show that they may be facing barriers. It can encourage understanding from others. I’ve seen quite a few people – in shops, on walks – wearing them recently.

The question remains, though, should we have to wear lanyards to be non-judgmental towards others?

Watch the sunflowers bloom now, in the hope that one day society let’s all flowers bloom without judgement