Not All Disabilities Are Visible: Why T1D Parking Access Matters
Why Type 1 Diabetes Deserves More Recognition and Accessibility
A friend of mine with Type 1 diabetes recently shared something that hit hard.
She was in a car park, loading groceries when a sudden hypo hit. Dizzy. Disoriented. Barely able to stand. She sat in the car, waiting for her blood sugar to come up — knowing it could take 20 minutes or more to feel safe behind the wheel again.
Then it happened.
Someone started honking behind her, angry she wasn’t vacating the parking spot. They had no idea what was happening inside that car — that she was fighting just to stay conscious.
And that’s the point.
Type 1 diabetes doesn’t look like a disability. But sometimes, it absolutely is.
💥 Why This Matters
Type 1 diabetes is a hidden disability. That doesn’t make it any less serious.
That closer parking spot? It’s not just a luxury — it’s potentially life-saving.
When blood sugar drops:
🚶♀️ Mobility is compromised
🧠 Mental clarity disappears
💬 Speech can slur
💓 The heart races, the body shakes
🧃 Juice boxes and glucagon become emergency gear
Whether you’re an adult treating a low, or a parent helping a child through one — the ability to stay close, act fast, and stay safe is critical.
🔍 Rethinking Accessibility
We talk a lot about visible disabilities. Wheelchairs. Crutches. Walkers. But what about the people carrying a CGM, an insulin pen, or a glucagon kit?
It’s time we expand the conversation.
T1D doesn’t show itself. But it never sleeps.
And when emergencies hit, accessibility can be the difference between danger and safety.
Let’s stop assuming what disability “should” look like — and start recognising the conditions we can’t see.
💬 Join the Conversation
If you or your child lives with T1D:
✔️ Have you ever needed that closer spot — but feared judgment?
✔️ Do you carry glucagon, sensors, juice, or backup insulin everywhere you go?
✔️ Has anyone ever questioned your “right” to take a break or access support?
You’re not alone.
Let’s advocate together — because diabetes deserves dignity, too.
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