I’m going to manage my T1D however I see fit, and you can manage your tantrum-prone prince however you see fit. I’m not putting my health at risk because you can’t handle a meltdown. Book the whole row next time.
Or better yet, fly private.”
The silence that followed was worth it.
The remaining two hours passed without incident. The boy never once looked up from his game or noticed anyone eating. And the parents?
They didn’t say another word to me.
That day on the plane taught me that advocating for your health isn’t rude. It’s necessary.
Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to stand firm when others try to minimize your needs. My condition isn’t visible, but it’s real, and I have every right to manage it properly.
No one’s comfort is more important than another person’s health.
And that’s a lesson worth remembering, whether you’re at 30,000 feet or with both feet on the ground.
