I never imagined that I would have to defend my right to eat a protein bar while flying. However, I refused to back down in the face of entitled parents who prioritized their son\u2019s tantrum-free flight over my well-being. The entire row was rendered speechless by what followed.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m Elizabeth, and I adore nearly every aspect of my life. Even though I occasionally feel like I\u2019m living out of a suitcase, I\u2019ve put a lot of effort into creating a marketing consulting career that I\u2019m proud of.<\/p>\n
I traveled to 14 cities across just last year to assist companies in changing their brand strategies. Hotel breakfast buffets have become my second home, and frequent flier miles are a great bonus.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn another journey? Every time I phone my mom from another airport terminal, she says, \u201cYou\u2019re like a modern nomad.\u201d<\/p>\n
I tell her that it\u2019s worth it every time.<\/p>\n
It is, too.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m creating something significant. Respect at work, financial stability, and the kind of life I\u2019ve always desired for myself.<\/p>\n
Except for one recurring issue\u2014type 1 diabetes\u2014everything in my life goes really nicely.<\/p>\n
Since my diagnosis at the age of twelve, it has been by my side constantly. For those who are unaware, Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the absence of insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar, from the pancreas. My blood sugar can drop dangerously low or soar dangerously high without insulin shots and close observation.<\/p>\n
And if I\u2019m not careful, I could end up in the hospital in any case.<\/p>\n
Years ago, my endocrinologist informed me, \u201cIt\u2019s just a part of who you are.\u201d \u201cJust a consideration, not a limitation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those words have guided my life. When I travel, I always pack extra snacks, set alarms for insulin doses, and have glucose pills in every purse.<\/p>\n
Though it doesn\u2019t define me, my condition does call for caution, particularly when I\u2019m traveling.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, most individuals in my life can relate.<\/p>\n
My supervisor ensures that meetings include prearranged breaks. When I need to stop for a snack, my pals don\u2019t mind at all.<\/p>\n
When I explain why I need that ginger ale now rather than in 20 minutes when they arrive to my row, even flight attendants usually understand.<\/p>\n
However, not everyone understands it.<\/p>\n
Some people don\u2019t care that what I consider to be a simple snack can occasionally be a medical requirement.<\/p>\n
similar to what occurred during my travel from Chicago to Seattle last month.<\/p>\n
I narrowly reached my boarding group after rushing through a crowded O\u2019Hare security queue and waking up at 4:30 a.m. for an early meeting.<\/p>\n
I was already experiencing the well-known dizziness that alerted me to the fact that my blood sugar was falling by the time I fell into my aisle seat.<\/p>\n
A family of three was sat next to me. Her husband sat across the aisle from me, and the mother, who was most likely in her mid-thirties, sat right next to me.<\/p>\n
Their son, who was maybe nine years old, sat between them. He had a brand-new iPad Pro, wireless headphones that were probably more expensive than my monthly grocery budget, and a pouty face that said he thought flying was a bad idea.<\/p>\n
As they got comfortable, he said, \u201cMom, I wanted the window.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNext time, my dear. Our seats couldn\u2019t be changed by the kind woman at the counter. As if he were a member of the royal family, she caressed his hair.<\/p>\n
With a dramatic sigh, the boy kicked the seat in front of him.<\/p>\n
Not once. Not twice. Several times.<\/p>\n
Without actually stopping her son, the mother merely gave him an apologetic smile as the man in front of her turned around with a glare.<\/p>\n
Without taking any action to rectify the conduct, she said, \u201cHe\u2019s just excited about the trip.\u201d<\/p>\n
I pulled out my magazine and settled in, raising my eyebrows but remaining silent.<\/p>\n
I decided to live and let live.<\/p>\n
It was a three-hour flight. That\u2019s how long I could put up with a soiled child.<\/p>\n
I thought so.<\/p>\n
That familiar dizziness grew stronger as the jet started to taxi and the flight attendants finished their safety demonstration. My hands began to shake a little. It was an obvious red flag.<\/p>\n
I grabbed the protein bar I always had on hand from my bag.<\/p>\n
I was about to open it when the woman beside me growled, \u201cCan\u2019t you? Our son is quite sensitive.<\/p>\n
My protein bar was halfway to my mouth when I stopped, wondering whether I had misheard her. However, the mother was giving me an arrogant look, as like I had just snuck out something criminal rather than a simple snack.<\/p>\n
\u201cI apologize.\u201d \u201cI said.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe odor. The sound of crinkling. The chewing. She made an ambiguous motion. It agitates him. There are sensitivities in our youngster.<\/p>\n
I looked at the youngster, who was already kicking the tray in front of him and complaining about the seat belt. He appeared to be doing just great. It\u2019s soiled and noisy, but not a disabled child.<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t even notice my protein bar, to be honest.<\/p>\n
\u201cI get it, but I have to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be greatly appreciated,\u201d she interrupted. \u201cThe flight is only brief.\u201d<\/p>\n
I glanced at my trembling hands. My people-pleasing instinct overrode my logical need to explain my medical situation.<\/p>\n
Well, whatever, I thought, I\u2019ll wait for the snack cart.<\/p>\n
With the bar stowed away, I pushed through while surreptitiously monitoring my CGM monitor. The numbers were declining more quickly than I would have liked.<\/p>\n
The drink cart eventually made its appearance forty minutes into the journey. I saw it walk down the aisle and let out a sigh of relief.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease give me a Coke and the protein snack box,\u201d I remarked with a smile when the flight attendant arrived at our row.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo food or drinks for this row, thanks,\u201d said the father across the aisle, leaning over before I could finish.<\/p>\n
The flight attendant appeared perplexed. \u201cMister?\u201d<\/p>\n
He pointed to the youngster, who was now totally absorbed in his iPad game, and added, \u201cOur son.\u201d \u201cWhen people eat in front of him, he becomes agitated.\u201d<\/p>\n
What? I pondered. Is he being serious?<\/p>\n
Just as I was going to object, the mother interrupted. Only a few hours will pass. You can wait, surely.<\/p>\n
Despite her obvious discomfort, the flight attendant continued with the cart, not wanting to interfere with a passenger argument. The boy\u2019s father leaned across the aisle once more as I reached up to press the call button.<\/p>\n
Excuse me? Our son cannot tolerate having other people eat close to him. It agitates him. For one flight, perhaps you could act like a decent person and forego the food.<\/p>\n
He hadn\u2019t even bothered to look up from his game as I glanced from him to his wife and then to their son. My watch buzzed a blood sugar alert.<\/p>\n
I was in dire need of sugar just now.<\/p>\n
The flight attendant took a few seconds to come back. The boy\u2019s mother interrupted once more.<\/p>\n
She won\u2019t have anything. The flight attendant was informed by her that her son had sensory triggers. He lashes out when he sees food. The tantrums would be shocking. Therefore, perhaps don\u2019t serve her unless you want a screaming passenger the entire flight.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d had enough at that time.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello,\u201d I yelled to the attendant, loud enough for half the row to hear. Type 1 diabetes affects me. I might faint or wind up in the hospital if I don\u2019t eat something right now. I shall, therefore, be eating. Thank you.<\/p>\n
A few people looked around.<\/p>\n
Nearby passengers looked up.<\/p>\n
An elderly woman on the other side of the aisle actually gasped and looked at the parents as if they had just said something really offensive.<\/p>\n
Immediately, the flight attendant\u2019s attitude shifted. \u201cObviously, ma\u2019am. I will immediately obtain that.<\/p>\n
The mother rolled her eyes and said, \u201cGod, there\u2019s always something with people.\u201d \u201cMy son also has needs! He dislikes seeing food when he is unable to eat it. We call it empathy.<\/p>\n
I remarked, \u201cYour son has headphones, an iPad, and hasn\u2019t looked up once.\u201d \u201cAnd he\u2019s currently eating Skittles.\u201d I gestured to the assortment of vibrant candies strewn around his platter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not the same,\u201d she sighed.<\/p>\n
I added, \u201cYou know what else it\u2019s called?\u201d with a charming smile as I accepted the drink and food box from the attendant. Handling your own child. Not the whole cabin.<\/p>\n
I gulped my soda, snarfed down my crackers and cheese, and noticed that my blood sugar was beginning to stabilize. Physically and emotionally, the relief was instantaneous.<\/p>\n
The mother leaned in once more five minutes later, right before I opened my laptop.<\/p>\n
She smiled tightly and continued, \u201cI feel a calling to educate you about my son\u2019s condition.\u201d<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t flinch at all.<\/p>\n
I said emphatically, \u201cLady, I don\u2019t care.\u201d I\u2019ll handle my T1D however I see fit, and you may handle your prince, who is prone to tantrums, way you see fit. Because you can\u2019t manage a tantrum, I\u2019m not risking my health. Next time, reserve the entire row. Better still, take a private flight.<\/p>\n
It was worth the hush that ensued.<\/p>\n
The next two hours went by without any problems. The youngster never once saw someone eating or looked up from his game. What about the parents? They didn\u2019t speak to me again.<\/p>\n
I learned that speaking for your health isn\u2019t r.u.d.e. that day on the plane. It\u2019s essential.<\/p>\n
Standing your ground when people try to downplay your demands is sometimes the most self-kind thing you can do. Although my ailment is invisible, it is real, and I have every right to take appropriate care of it.<\/p>\n
The health of another individual comes before anyone\u2019s comfort. And whether you\u2019re on the ground or at 30,000 feet, that\u2019s a lesson worth keeping in mind.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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