Elizabeth is a marketing consultant who travels frequently. Living with Type 1 diabetes means she must carefully manage her blood sugar levels, often needing snacks and insulin throughout the day. Being prepared is a must, especially when flying.

On a flight from Chicago to Seattle, Elizabeth felt her blood sugar dropping—a dangerous sign for someone with diabetes. She reached for a protein bar she always carries as an emergency snack. But the woman sitting next to her objected.

The mother explained that the smell and noise of Elizabeth eating would upset her son, who has sensory processing issues. Despite Elizabeth’s worsening condition, the family insisted she wait. Their priority was their child’s comfort, even at the expense of Elizabeth’s health.

When the flight attendant came with the snack cart, Elizabeth tried to order food. But the father demanded no food or drinks be served in their row, again citing their son’s sensitivities. The attendant was conflicted, caught between accommodating the family and recognizing Elizabeth’s urgent medical needs.

At this point, Elizabeth firmly explained her condition, making it clear that without food, she risked losing consciousness. Her calm yet assertive explanation changed the atmosphere in the cabin. Passengers and crew understood the seriousness of her situation.

Elizabeth was given her snack, while the parents were left speechless. Their son stayed focused on his iPad, seemingly unaffected by the commotion. Elizabeth gently reminded them to manage their child without infringing on her health needs.

This experience taught her an important lesson: advocating for invisible medical conditions is crucial, even when others dismiss or invalidate them. Her health—and life—comes first.

Ultimately, Elizabeth’s story is a powerful reminder that protecting one’s medical needs is not rude or selfish, especially in situations where ignoring them can have serious consequences.