You’ve heard the old saying “never judge a book by its cover”, but do you actually follow that golden rule in your everyday life?
Sometimes we can unknowingly judge someone on the street with a quick look or thought popping into our heads, and it’s all harmless, right? However, it’s the times when we open our mouths or purposely give a rude gesture with the intention of making someone else feel inferior. For people of certain backgrounds, ethnicities, and those who just want to stand out, these stares, comments, and backhanded compliments are the norm… even though they are usually great people who are dangerously being stereotyped by strangers.
That’s exactly why Mary Walls Penney, a nurse who specializes in caring for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and has a flare for the colorful, decided to take down her haters with an epic story on Facebook. While it’s no doubt Mary stands out in a crowd, with her colorful rainbow unicorn-esque mane, there was absolutely no reason for a stranger to make the unnecessary comments regarding her hair and career.
After work, Mary stopped to pick up some items when she was asked about her nursing nametag by a cashier she had never met before. The rude cashier couldn’t help but take a jab at Mary. “I’m surprised they let you work there like that. What do your patients think about your hair?”, Mary wrote on Facebook.
“She then proceeded to ask the elderly lady that was in line behind me, “What do you think about her hair?”
The kind older lady said, “Nothing against you honey, it’s just not for me.”
Then the cashier continued to comment that they didn’t allow that sort of thing even when she worked fast food and that she was shocked that a nursing facility would allow that.”
Mary went on to explain that her colorful hair has never stopped her from saving one of her patient’s lives. “My tattoos have never kept them from holding my hand and as they lay frightened and crying because Alzheimer’s has stolen their mind. My multiple ear piercings have never interfered with me hearing them reminisce about their better days or listening to them as they express their last wishes. My tongue piercing has never kept me from speaking words of encouragement to a newly diagnosed patient or from comforting a family that is grieving.”
“So, please explain to me how my appearance, while being paired with my cheerful disposition, servant’s heart, and smiling face, has made me unfit to provide nursing care and unable to do my job!”
What do you think about Mary’s story? Let us know in the comments and SHARE this with your friends on Facebook today!
[Featured Image: Facebook / Mary Walls Penney]
Rainbow-Haired Geriatric Nurse Shuts Down Stranger’s Shaming In The Best Way is an article from: LifeDaily