Elizabeth, a seasoned marketing consultant with Type 1 diabetes, was used to managing her condition while flying. On a flight from Chicago to Seattle, she felt her blood sugar dropping and reached for a protein bar. But the woman next to her urgently asked her not to eat—her son had sensory issues.

Elizabeth politely explained that eating wasn’t optional—it was medical. The mother insisted she wait, and the father even blocked the flight attendant from offering food. Growing weaker, Elizabeth finally said, “I am a Type 1 diabetic. If I don’t eat or drink something right now, I could lose consciousness.”

The cabin went silent. The flight attendant quickly gave her juice and a snack. Ironically, the child was unbothered, focused on his iPad. Elizabeth calmly told the parents, “My health cannot be sacrificed for his comfort. It’s your job to prepare him for the world, not demand the world adjust for him at others’ expense.”

After the flight, Elizabeth reflected on the invisibility of chronic illness. Advocacy, she realized, is not selfish—it’s survival. Her story is a reminder: never judge what you don’t see. A small act—like opening a snack—can be life-saving.