Did you know that the sunflower is the universal symbol for non-apparent disabilities?
Deafness can be an unseen disability, unless you have a brightly colored hearing device or use sign language in public spaces. The sunflower symbol was established in 2016 in the UK as the official symbol of non-apparent disabilities and is now embraced globally. When traveling or in other public spaces, a person with a non-visible disability can wear something with a sunflower design, such as a nametag or pin, to express awareness of their disability. You can even wear a sunflower lanyard to symbolize a non-apparent disability.
Why is the sunflower so important to me?
I live in Kansas, known as the Sunflower State. Every September, sunflower farms near where I live are adorned with the brightly colored flowers for only a few weeks. They bloom at the end of summer and early fall.
My husband and I recently traveled to a large local sunflower farm for the third consecutive year to take in these beautiful blooms. In this post’s photo, I stand amid rows of sunflowers. Behind my ear is my cochlear implant, adorned with a yellow and white sunflower decal. I’ll likely wear the flowery CI bling through October, then bring out the pumpkin decal for fall.
I love the sunflower because it grows in the direction of the warm sun, bending its thick stem and buds in the direction of light.
-Lipreading Mom
Besides being a symbol for non-visible disabilities, sunflowers also signify happiness, warmth, and strength. They may bend toward the sun, but their stalks are tall and strong. Their petals are bright and vivid around their circle head. Occasionally you’ll see a happy face etched onto one of these sunflowers. In the early evening, their colors evolve into a warm gold. With the sky as their backdrop, sunflowers stand in blazing rows that seem to fade into the horizon.
For me, the sunflower means hope: that which brings joy, strength, and calm. The fact that sunflowers symbolize unseen disability, such as my deafness, is a bonus.
4 thoughts on “Sunflower: The Symbol of My Deafness”
One year, a sunflower mysteriously appeared in my perennial garden. I choose to believe that some bird dropped a seed when God whispered, “Go plant a sunflower for my daughter.” So for me, sunflowers represent miracles.
I didn’t find any meaning to sunflowers. But I always find sunflowers bright and cheerful to look at. Everytime I see one, I always smile and feel good afterwards.
I was very surprised when in the UK they started using the sunflowers on lanyards or pins to make invisible disability more visible. It certainly gave more awareness I felt. But I think it’s died down a bit. I don’t see it like I used to. I still have my sunflower lanyard.
Hi Liz, thank you for sharing your experiences with the sunflower lanyard. Hopefully it gain regain more awareness as a global symbol of invisibility disability.
Lipreading Mom 
One year, a sunflower mysteriously appeared in my perennial garden. I choose to believe that some bird dropped a seed when God whispered, “Go plant a sunflower for my daughter.” So for me, sunflowers represent miracles.
RJ – What a miracle and such a beautiful reminder of God’s goodness. Thank you for sharing this with me.
I didn’t find any meaning to sunflowers. But I always find sunflowers bright and cheerful to look at. Everytime I see one, I always smile and feel good afterwards.
I was very surprised when in the UK they started using the sunflowers on lanyards or pins to make invisible disability more visible. It certainly gave more awareness I felt. But I think it’s died down a bit. I don’t see it like I used to. I still have my sunflower lanyard.
Hi Liz, thank you for sharing your experiences with the sunflower lanyard. Hopefully it gain regain more awareness as a global symbol of invisibility disability.