Louth mum asks for ‘dignity and tolerance’ for hidden disabilities

Lynne Cooney, a serving town councillor, was visiting a supermarket in the town with her daughter India, 22, who has Asperger’s, when the incident took place.

Lynne said: “I was asked at the checkout if I knew about the ‘one person’ rule, in front of a customer, who then proceeded to tell me about her wearing a lanyard. “I had a letter last time [during the first lockdown] from Lincolnshire County Council that I could show.

“I am aware of the lanyard, but should people with special needs have to be singled out for exposure of their needs?

“I am very angry for my daughter who has had this discrimination for years.

“There should have been some kind of discreet pin advocated from LCC to wear to identify those who need support when shopping, or a card they can carry in a purse or mobile phone case, that they can show. This would allow dignity rather than having to disclose their disability. This should have been supplied months ago.

“I’m not against trying to keep the infection rate down. We need to protect everyone, but what this situation has shown is that it further compounds a persons self-esteem or self-awareness of their difficulties and differences. There has to be a balance and more sensitivity.”

Lynne added:“Some of the people going into supermarkets as pairs are unpaid, isolated carers who are doing a fabulous job with very little or no help, and parents who are home-schooling and deserve better treatment than what they are getting at the moment from soul destroying comments .”

Following an enquiry from the Louth Leader, Emma Krasinska, Carers Lead at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “It’s important that all carers can gain access to the support and services they need and reduce carer burden.

“Lincolnshire County Council, supported by NHS England, has provided carer support letters for those people in a caring role who may have difficulty accessing the shops and services they need.

“These are personalised so that if challenged it is clear that they have a need to a shop, supermarket or other support service, including if they have the person they care for with them, as in this case. For more information contact the Lincolnshire Carers Service.

“The Hidden Disabilities website also have a Sunflower pin badge - https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/badge-circular.html - which is nationally recognised.

“We would also support this as most supermarkets train their staff to recognise this.”

Following the council’s response, Lynne added that she would still urge the county council to consider creating a discrete card that could be kept in a purse or wallet, or a mobile phone case.

She added: “I’m asking for dignity and tolerance. We are living in difficult times and a little bit of human kindness would go a long way to getting us through this year.”