Image source: Times Free Press
Brilio.net/en - A customer reported an official file against Ankars Hoagies restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. She was appalled when she found out there was a cook with a Down syndrome in the kitchen. Instead of protesting to the restaurant manager she decided to report to the health department, who then sent a team to investigate the restaurant.
How surprised they were to find out that the cook with Down syndrome is the restaurant manager himself. Moreover, Andrew Ankar appeared to be the co-owner of the restaurant, taking over his late fathers business and keeping it running until today. But despite being the manager, Andrew is working hard in his restaurant every day, doing every job his workers do and loved by everyone for this.
Image via Facebook/Alex Ankar
His older brother Alex was furious about the customers complaint and posted on his Instagram account the pictures of Andrew working in the kitchen and mentioned in the caption about the incident, which soon went viral. The post also started a new hashtag on the social media saying #StayStrongAndrew. On the caption Alex wrote this:
Ever since my dad passed away, my little bro has been working day in and day out at Ankar's Hoagies to ensure that my father's legacy keeps going strong.
From greeting customers to cleaning the dining room to working the grill, Andrew works tirelessly to make sure our business is a success - and he does it all with a smile on his face.
When I learned that someone had the audacity to file a report with the local health inspector over an adult with Down syndrome being in the kitchen of a restaurant that he is not just employed at, but that he owns, I was floored.
It makes my blood boil that there are people in this world who don't have an ounce of kindness in their heart to appreciate what an amazing person he is.
The fact that there are people out there in this world that view people with disabilities as sub-human disgusts me.
Sometimes I sit back and marvel at Andrew's ability to love everyone... even people who aren't deserving of his kindness.
He knows no hate.
If the people out there who constantly ridicule people with disabilities had even half of Andrew's capability to love EVERYONE, this world would be a better place.
I challenge every single person who reads this to take a minute to put all differences aside.
Whether it's ability, race, sexual orientation, religion, whatever - try to put your differences aside and love one another.
Trust me, the world would be a much better place if everyone had Andrew's ability.
He's not the disabled one, we are.
Love you, kid.
Alex Ankar
(brl/red)
