Hell hath no fury like a sleep-deprived, insurance battling, carb-guesstimating parent of a T1D kid. So when this guy posts this sign in his aptly named restaurant, Mike’s Pig Pen, parents get even and educate.

After the Facebook page for Mike’s Pig Pen was taken down, another popped up.

Local news outlets were contacted about covering the story.

Lots of one star reviews on Yelp! appeared.

The phone number for Mike’s Pig Pen appeared online, with the suggestion that the “squeal like a pig” scene from Deliverance be played when someone answered.

Mike’s expired domain name, http://www.mikespigpen.com, was purchased and now it reroutes to the American Diabetes Association.

The DOC (Diabetes Online Community) reacted and responded.

Locals defended him. People within the Type 1 community suggested that the outrage was too extreme.

Mike apologized.

Dust-ups like this happen when diabetes (type 1 and type 2) enters the picture. Only the players change: it can involve Cross-Fit, American Girl Dolls, and the list will continue.

I’m not sure that someone who openly practices discrimination (and thinks that diabetes is spread through blood contact) ever gets educated, whether it’s Mike, the customer who complained, the local newspaper editor who says that attacking Mike over the sign “is equivalent to bombing Main Street,” or the 100’s of people on social media who express outrage over having their meal ruined because they have to see a needle.

What I do know is that the sign, and all those who agree with its sentiments, that think people with a disability should be removed from public view, are a reminder that the fight is real. There’s a reason for advocacy and education.