I was on a flight to Seattle, feeling shaky from low blood sugar. As a Type 1 diabetic, I reached for my protein bar—but the woman next to me stopped me. “Our son is sensitive to smells,” she said, motioning to her kid, who was glued to an iPad. I nodded, hoping I could wait for the snack cart.

When it finally came, I ordered a Coke and a snack box—only for the father across the aisle to tell the attendant, “No food or drinks for this row.” The mom added, “Surely she can manage.” That’s when I spoke up: “I have Type 1 Diabetes. I need to eat. Now.”

The flight attendant handed me the snack without hesitation. The parents muttered about empathy, but their son never even looked up. I calmly told them, “Manage your child. I’ll manage my condition.”

As we landed, the mom tried to “educate” me about their son. I replied, “I don’t care. My health matters too.” Then I walked off that plane with no guilt—just steady blood sugar and peace of mind.