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This IHOP Waiter Is Going Viral for Helping a Disabled Customer
A waiter from IHOP has gone viral for a special heartwarming moment caught on camera by a customer.
Keshia Dotson was dining at her local IHOP when she noticed waiter Joe Thomas helping a disabled customer. Doston posted the sweet image on Facebook where it quickly went viral.
“Today while visiting your Springfield, IL location on Dirksen I witnessed a very touching moment involving one of your servers,” Dotson wrote on Facebook. “A man and disabled women were dining and your server sat down with them and proceeded to help feed the disabled woman while her companion enjoyed his food.”
She continued, “My faith in humanity has been restored a little today.”
According to BuzzFeed, Thomas has been helping the couple that he calls Dale and Ma for about five years now. Ma has Huntington’s disease, a genetic disorder that causes a breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.
Thomas initially started helping the couple so they could enjoy a meal together.
“I always see him stop eating to feed her and I was like ‘heck, if I’m not doing anything why don’t I go feed her so he can eat and everyone can be happy?’” Thomas told Illinois television station WICS. “My parents always told me to treat people equally and that’s what I try to do all the time.”
The uplifting photo has been liked over 11,000 times and shared over 4,000 times on Facebook. Many people online have praised Thomas for his incredible actions.
“This man is s great server. He’s waited on my family a few times when we’ve been to IHOP. This warms my heart to see this. What a kind soul. Keep doin you young man,” one user wrote.
“He was our waiter on St Patrick’s day. It was super busy, and we had our toddler with us. He took the time to sit down and talk with our son while still managing to serve his other tables. A small act of kindness goes a long way!” another user shared.
Joe Thomas didn’t expect the reaction from the viral image, but has been amazed by the responses he has received.
“It really felt good for somebody to actually see another person is doing something and take notice,” Joe Thomas said to People. “It felt good, but at the same time I was like I really don’t care for the recognition too much because it’s just something that should automatically be done regardless.”
The compassionate act even got him a job offer at a nursing home.
“I am out there to help anyone if I can, don’t really look for anything in return just have a good day and that’s it,” Thomas said to People.