One need not to do grand things in order to be a blessing to someone’s life. In fact, to make other people smile and happy, one only needs to show kindness and compassion to others.
This is how Ebony Harris, a 40-year-old woman who works at Walmart, became a blessing to a woman with disability, Angela Peters. According to the wheelchair-bound Angela, a nail salon rejected her request for a beautiful nail service upon realizing that she has cerebral palsy and a condition that makes her hands shake uncontrollably at times. The salon simply said that it would be too difficult for them to do her nails.
After Ebony learned that Angela, a woman with disability and with shaky hands, was refused service at a nearby nail salon, Ebony felt that she needed to do something to make Angela’s day happier. Thus, instead of taking her break, she decided to paint Angela’s nails!
Delighted by Ebony’s kind gesture, Angela accepted her generous offer. The two ladies picked a sparkly blue nail polish to paint Angela’s nails with at one of Subway’s seats.
“Ebony is a nice person… I enjoy conversation with her.” Angela said in an interview, sharing how happy she was when Ebony was painting her nails.
“I knew her from her coming in here shopping,” Ebony said, explaining why she chose to spend her time helping Angela. “I’ve helped her shop a couple of times. I just wanted to do her nails and I didn’t want her day to be ruined.”
Feeling sorry for the way her hands trembled and shaken when Ebony was doing her nails, Angela kept on apologizing. But Ebony dismissed her apologies, saying that she herself is quite shaky as well, afraid to mess-up Angela’s nails.
“I was a little nervous and was shaking because I didn’t want to mess her nails up,” Ebony admitted.
Unknown to the two women who were having an enjoyable time with each other, another woman who is working in the Subway food chain, Tasia Smith, saw their heartwarming nail painting session. Tasia took a photo of the two women and posted it on her Facebook account. According to Tasia, what she had witnessed brought tears to her eyes, as Ebony’s compassion warmed her heart.
“She did great, barely moved & was just so sweet,” Tasia wrote along with the photo she captured. “It’s an absolute shame that they denied her for something so little.” The photo Tasia uploaded on her social media account quickly went viral and received positive reaction from the public.
“I love it and it hit my soul in a very deep place,” Ebony shared, appreciating the positive attention and support they are getting. “It makes me feel good, but it’s very overwhelming.”
“Ebony simply wanted to make sure our customer’s day was special, and that’s the kind of person she is — someone with a wonderful attitude who goes the extra mile each day to make those around her feel important. We’re not surprised at her act of kindness. Her service to customers defines the spirit of Walmart, and we couldn’t be more proud,” Ebony’s dedication and kind nature were acknowledged by Walmart, the company she’s working. Evidently, Walmart is proud to have someone like her.
If Ebony is receiving words of praises and support from a lot of people, the nail salon that refused service to Angela is experiencing a different story. People expressed their disappointment and frustration by the unfair treatment the nail salon gave to Angela.
However, the two women discourages people from punishing or boycotting the involved nail salon. For them, the mere fact that people are becoming aware of the issues and unfair treatment people with disabilities are facing, is more than enough.
“I forgive the nail people for not doing my nails,” Angela said, proving how big her heart is. “When people do us wrong we must forgive, if not we harbor bitterness. I don’t want anyone fired, I just [want to] educate people that people with different challenges like being in a wheelchair, we can have our own business and get our nails done like anyone else.”
For Ebony, she is hoping that she will inspire others to treat people equally, regardless of their situation and condition in life. She added that hopefully, people would focus on the positive message of their story, instead of boxing themselves with hatred towards the involved nail salon.
“We want people to look at the positive side of the story, that there are a lot of good people out here,” Ebony added.
Hopefully, Ebony and Angela’s story will touch everyone’s hearts and inspire us to learn how to treat each other the way we want us to be treated. If only all people would think this way, the world will ooze with kindness and will definitely be a better place! May our kindness always be free and contagious!
Watch Ebony’s simple act of kindness that uplifted Angela’s day and spirit, after she was rejected of service by a nail salon due to her disability.
Photos and Video | ABC News