How to use the keyring cards

There are many different ways that people use our keyring cards. Here are a few: (click on the arrow at the side to open the detail)

Answering 'What's wrong with you'

Whether asked by medical professionals, family, friends or colleagues, there are times we want the people around us to know about our differences - but at the same time, we don't want to spend all our time repeatedly explaining it. The keyring cards can solve this issue by explaining it for us.

And yes, health-care professionals seem to really like these cards. We have had several paramedics, A & E, and nursing staff contact us saying how much easier the cards have made their job.

Helping someone understand how you function/what your normal is.

When a condition means you may do things differently and/or have different limitations to the 'average' person, being able to give people who you will be spending time with (like friends, family and colleagues) an overview of your normal is very helpful.  Showing them your pack of cards means they can understand - and will be able to react more appropriately and not fuss when your various differences become relevant.

They can also help ensure that expectations are realistic and reduce the number of misunderstandings.

For example if they know you wear headphones for a medical condition, they are less likely to misinterpret headpones as 'ignoring' or 'rude'. Or if they've read the fatigue card they are less likely to assume you are being lazy when you need to take a break. 

The colour, light-hearted tone and stickman images make it easier for people to process and accept the information given in a way that a verbal explanation rarely achieves.

Explaining or describing your symptom level or key need, here and now.

Cards can also provide a great way to convey vital information in specific situations, especially where it is hard to find the right way to explain it - whether because it's hard for you to speak or find the right words, or it is something the other person may find hard to understand or accept. 

If I have a particularly problematic symptom - for example, if I'm struggling with speech, I will often wear the cards on a lanyard with the applicable 'non verbal' or 'difficulty speaking' at the front so I can explain quickly and effectively.

Other times I might put a card on the table next to me - for example the recharging card, or the one saying I can't cope with people, or the one saying I'm concentrating - please don't disturb. So that anyone who comes up to me gets the information they need without me having to interact with them at all.

This short video gives an overview of some of the ways people use the stickman communications keyring cards.

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