During a flight from Chicago to Seattle, I faced an unexpected situation. As someone living with Type 1 diabetes, I must carefully manage my blood sugar. After a long morning, I began feeling shaky and reached for my protein bar. That’s when the mother sitting beside me asked me not to eat, claiming the smell might upset her son. Though the child seemed perfectly fine, busy with his tablet and snacks, the parents insisted I refrain from eating for the entire flight.
At first, I tried to be polite, thinking I could wait for the snack cart. But when the father told the flight attendant not to serve our row, I realized I had to speak up. Calmly but firmly, I explained my medical condition in front of nearby passengers. The attendant quickly provided me with the food and drink I needed. The parents, clearly embarrassed, remained silent afterward.
I managed my blood sugar as needed and completed the flight without further issues. The experience reminded me how important it is to advocate for one’s health, even when others try to downplay it. No one’s comfort should ever come at the expense of another person’s well-being, especially when managing a serious health condition.
This flight taught me an important lesson: standing up for yourself is not rude — it’s necessary. Everyone has the right to care for their health, and we should never feel guilty for doing so. Whether at 30,000 feet or on the ground, it’s a lesson worth remembering.