Pregnant Woman vs Invisible Disability: Who Deserves the Priority Seat?

Picture this: you’re on a packed underground train during rush hour with your heavily pregnant partner who’s struggling to stand. You spot the priority seats, but one is occupied by an elderly man with a walking stick and the other by a young man who claims to have autism. Who should give up their seat? This is the dilemma that one couple faced recently, and it’s sparked a heated debate about invisible disabilities and priority seating. Let’s dive into the story and see what went down.

The Pregnant Partner’s Struggle

Relying on Public Transport

The Busy Train Ride

Searching for a Priority Seat

No Issues… Until Now

Two Occupied Priority Seats

Asking the Younger Man to Move

An Unexpected Response

Invisible Disability vs Physical Impairment

The Argument

Defensiveness and Name-calling

A Voluntary Seat Offer

The Lingering Question

The Ultimate Dilemma

Priority Seating Showdown: Who’s in the Right?

This underground train ride turned into a battleground when a man asked a young man with autism to give up his priority seat for his heavily pregnant partner. The debate that ensued raises important questions about invisible disabilities, physical impairments, and the rules of priority seating. While a ‘normal’ seat was eventually offered to the pregnant woman, the experience left the couple questioning their actions. So, who do you think was in the right? Let’s see what the internet has to say about this controversial situation…

OP is called out for insisting on a seat for his pregnant wife over a young man with autism who needed it. Comments explain the comorbid sensory and motor issues that can come with autism and the importance of not assuming someone is not disabled just because they don’t look like it. YTA.

Invisible disabilities are still disabilities. YTA for arguing.

Asking politely, no prob. Pushing the issue? YTA

Insisting on priority seat invalidates disability. Believe disabled people’s needs.

Don’t judge disabilities. Ask someone else to move instead.

Disabled commenters explain why YTA for not giving up priority seat

Debate over priority seating and disabilities sparks controversy

Don’t judge a book by its cover, YTA. ‍♀️

Don’t be pushy! YTA for arguing with a disabled person.

Don’t judge whose needs are valid or take priority.

Pregnancy doesn’t give entitlement to priority seat. YTA called out

Debate over priority seats for pregnant women and physically impaired individuals.

Etiquette tip: Avoid singling out individuals for priority seating.

Respect invisible disabilities. Don’t be an a**hole.

Autistic person explains why they may need priority seating

Priority seating is for those with mobility issues, not just disabilities. NTA.

Autistic person defends using disability seat on bus.

Pregnant woman deserves priority seat. OP was wrong to argue.

Invisible disabilities are real and valid. Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Respect priority seats and accept responses. Don’t be a YTA

Commenter calls out someone for not respecting boundaries.

When to let go: Accepting a stranger’s ‘no’ response

Don’t be entitled. Ask someone else to give up their seat

Don’t judge who deserves the priority seat more!

A neurodivergent walking stick user calls out both parties’ actions.

Commenter calls out prioritizing seats, sparks discussion.

Commenter calls out YTA for lack of empathy

Invisible disabilities matter too. YTA for not understanding that.

Navigating invisible disabilities and priority seating on public transport.

Should autism qualify for priority seats? Debate ensues.

Pregnant woman judged man’s disability for priority seat. YTA called out.

Don’t assume invisible disabilities don’t require priority seating

Debate over priority seat for autism sparks discussion on invisible disabilities

Why this person thinks YTA for not accepting no

Assuming others’ needs won’t make you any less of an a**hole

Accepting ‘no’ for an answer: a lesson in empathy

Debate over priority seats for disabilities on public transport

Don’t judge, YTA. Disability disclosure is not required.

Respect boundaries and don’t judge others’ disabilities

Don’t judge someone’s disability. Carry a foldable seat instead.

Pregnancy doesn’t give a special card to get things. YTA.

When asking for a seat, respect the answer you receive

Navigating priority seats with invisible disabilities can be tricky

Commenter called out for judgmental behavior.

Asking for a priority seat: when to back off?

Engage with empathy. Prioritize compassion over assumptions.

Disability and priority seats: a controversial topic

Commenter called out for pushing priority seat issue.