As a frequent flyer and marketing consultant, I’ve faced my fair share of travel challenges — but I never thought eating a protein bar would spark a midair standoff. I have Type 1 diabetes, which means I need to monitor my blood sugar constantly. During a recent flight from Chicago to Seattle, I felt my levels dropping fast. I reached for a protein bar — a medical necessity — but the woman next to me hissed, “Can you not? Our son is very sensitive.” Apparently, her 9-year-old “prince” couldn’t handle seeing or hearing people eat near him. He didn’t have a visible disability — just an iPad, a pile of Skittles,

and a habit of kicking the seat in front of him. Out of politeness, I held off… for a while. But when I tried to order a snack box and Coke from the flight attendant, the boy’s dad interrupted to say, “No food for this row.” The mom doubled down, insisting “it sets him off.” By then, I was dizzy, shaking, and on the verge of passing out. So I spoke up — loud and clear: “I have Type 1 Diabetes. If I don’t eat right now, I could end up in the hospital. So yes,