Note from Lianne- No Nut Traveler. This testimonial just submitted took place in 2017. It is my fervent hope that thru this pandemic people have become more empathetic to those flying with any medical conditions. Although this is a long shot and bullying data in food allergy kids and adults say otherwise – I remain an eternal optimist.
This happened to us on our way flying to Denver from Tucson (03/18/2017). We were getting ready to pre board our Delta flight. We have always pre boarded without a hitch and are loyal Delta customers because they have been so allergy aware. This time, however, a woman walked up to my daughter (5 years old at the time, my son was 3), and started calling us horrible names because of our food allergy.
It was the second food allergy bullying I had experienced as an adult, so NATURALLY, I was really taken aback by this grown woman’s behavior. She called me a bitch for being able to board the plane and wipe it down. She repeated this word again and again, along with asshole and son of a bitch. We walked away, and as I was pre boarding, she continued. I pretended I did not hear her because her words did not matter. I’m not sure why she was so angry. It’s a Delta flight with preassigned seats, not a Southwest flight where you compete for good seats. And she did not even have a good seat assignment. No need for the words. Plus, as a mom with two young kids. I was already part of pre boarding to get kids settled before everyone else.
I wish more folks approached situations being trauma informed. “What happened and how can I help.” Our society lacks so much empathy and consideration for others. Especially silent and non-obvious things like food allergies.
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