Imagine being told you couldn’t enter a building with your medical supplies. Well, this happened to one of our readers at a movie theatre just a few days ago.

Last weekend, Bill Reed went to see a movie with his wife when the general manager pulled him aside and said he couldn’t bring in his juice, a low treatment, into the theater.

Despite explaining that he has type 1 diabetes, showing both his insulin pen and continuous glucose monitor, the theater manager wouldn’t budge. Reed cited protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but was brushed off and given an ultimatum: return the low blood sugar supplies to his car or leave the theater.

Reed was experiencing a low blood sugar during this interaction, exactly what his low treatment was there for. Amidst the busy weekend crowd, persistent manager, and low blood sugar symptoms, Reed chose to get a refund and leave the theater.

Diabetes is an “invisible” condition, the type 1 diabetes community often has to educate people on the condition and explain why certain medical supplies or food are necessary. Reed, who has lived with T1D for 39 years, has had to do this countless times throughout his life, but this ultimatum and persistent denial of his reasonable accommodations was shocking—something he had never experienced before.

Reed sought comfort in the diabetes community and shared his story with us, Reddit, and across multiple social media platforms. His story quickly gained momentum. People chimed in and shared similar experiences, frustrations, offered advice on filing ADA complaints, and even helped Reed connect with executives at the theater chain. The executive team responded to Reed and apologized, promising to implement updated training efforts to ensure something like this never happens again.

Reed also joined us on our Youtube Channel (video below) where he shared his story in-depth. In our conversation, Reed emphasizes that his experience is about more than a single interaction at a movie theater. He hopes it serves as a reminder that people with diabetes must often advocate for themselves in situations where others may not understand the realities of living with the condition.

In the first video of our new series, Diabetes Advocates, we spoke with Bill Reed who highlights just how quickly these real-life situations can escalate and why knowing your rights matters. For anyone living with diabetes, Reed's message is simple: know your rights, don't be afraid to speak up, and remember that you're not alone. Whether it's carrying emergency low snacks, wearing diabetes technology, or requesting a reasonable accommodation, self-advocacy can make the difference between a frustrating experience and a safe one. To listen and learn from Bill Reed’s inspiring story, watch the video below.

To learn more about diabetes protections, check out the American Diabetes Association’s fact sheets. This outlines the anti-discrimination laws in place to protect people with disabilities, including diabetes. For a more in depth look at the ruling, here is the Americans with Disabilities Act Title III Regulations.

Keep an eye out for more entries of our Diabetes Advocates series, where we highlight advocate stories. Do you or a loved one have a story to share? Contact us here for the opportunity to get featured.