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Viral Hero: Waiter Refuses To Serve Man Who Insulted Boy With Down Syndrome

Waiter turns down service

Houston, TX – A restaurant waiter refused to serve a customer who insulted a boy with Down syndrome, and has since become an internet hero now that his story has gone viral.

Michael Garcia, a waiter at Laurenzo’s, was serving a family of regulars of which 5-year-old Milo, who has Down syndrome, is a member. “Milo wasn’t being bad, he was just talking and making little noises,” Garcia told Fox News. But that didn’t stop a nearby customer from making comments about the boy.

The unhappy customer moved to another table in Garcia’s section. Garcia said he overhead the man say “special needs children need to be special somewhere else.”

“My personal feelings took over because that’s ignorance in my opinion and I told him ‘Sir, I won’t be able to serve you,’” Garcia recalled. The customer and his family left, while Milo’s family was completely unaware of what had transpired.

“Maybe there were other ways I could have handled it, but Milo is such an angel, he is a gift from God as are all special needs children,” Garcia said.

Garcia said that he didn’t tell Milo’s family about the incident, because he wouldn’t want to cause them stress or emotional pain, reports The Daily Mail.

Since the incident, Garcia’s story has gone viral, with many on social media proclaiming him a hero and flooding his online profiles with friend requests and encouraging messages.

“We can’t lose track of what this is about,” Garcia said regarding the attention his story has gotten. “It is about Milo, it is about educating ourselves and when people are different, why should you treat them any different?”

“It’s fear of the unknown,” he said.

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Comments

44 Responses to “Viral Hero: Waiter Refuses To Serve Man Who Insulted Boy With Down Syndrome”

  4. Nancy Felice-Arkinstall

    To the ignorant ass who was refused service, you should be ashamed of yourself but, judging from your obvious ignorance, I'm sure you don't have the God-given sense to be.

  5. Martha Grove

    I work with a special needs child and I hate it when people talk down anyone who has special needs. Good for Mr Garcia who stood up for this sweet boy.

  7. Veneta Britt

    Thank you for actong as a caring concerned and special human being. Michael you are a treasure and a wonderful person…I applaud your actions….

  9. Jae F Respass

    As the mother of a special needs little girl, I am grateful to people like Mr. Garcia to stand up to those who are mean and ignorant to people who are a little different :)

  10. Ellen Pickett McClary

    I'm proud of what he did, and with such tact and grace. But, I'm sure the family knows now! Especially with the child's name and picture all over the web!!! So why not tell them before you tell the world?

  11. Danny Farage

    How did this become a story if he didnt tell the family? Great story though!!!

  12. Terri Byrket Brown

    Sir, I believe you ARE educating people by showing them compassion in action. This child is living with something that is beyond his control and adult making a comment like that should know better. More people should stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. I'm sure Milo would appreciate what you did for him. God Bless you sir! ♡

  15. Laura Dittsworth

    I have always had a special place in my heart for those who have special needs. I am also a very proud mother with a beautiful baby boy whom has downs. This story has touched me in many ways. I'm happy to hear that my son will grow in a world where people will the right thing! Of all the ignorance and hatred out there, there is still goodness in our hearts!

  16. Denise Montague

    "Garcia said that he didn’t tell Milo’s family about the incident, because he wouldn’t want to cause them stress or emotional pain, reports The Daily Mail." So how did the media know? BRILLIANT! The story went viral and everyone wants to patronize the place to show their support! Nothing like Free advertisement.

  17. Dolores Clark

    When I read this I was jmping up nd dwn , fist pumping , screaming "Yes, Yes! " I wrked for yrs w/Special needs, coached golf, bowling for Special Olympics for 15 yrs., I was astounded the ignorance w/in the community when in public w/special needs.It begins at hme, its about what we teach r children, what r children witness thier parents say nd do, they grow into thier parents as thier children grow into them.Its a vicious cycle.I applaud u sir, well done.

  18. Dolores Clark

    I should have had this mans class w/my situation but have to admit I didn't.I was a waitress in a pizza shop, witness a woman yelling nd slapping her son, Id say he was about 5.I went to table, gave her 3 children $ to play vidios, w/her permission of course, asked her if I could talk to her.Standing over her as she sat, I asked how she would feel if someone had treated her as such.I was told to mind my own business."Really" Raising my voice, I said "how dare u treat your child as such, guess how it felt " Then I slapped her as she did her son nd walked away.My boss came flying out of his office, pissed to the max.he started yelling at me that I was wrong nd I was in how I handled the situation.I asked him if he condoned her actons.he said she was the customer nd she was right."Really" Took off my name badge, apron said, I quit.Out I went.Didn't take long for story to hit all pizza parlours, I was blk -balled from all pizza shops.Bet 1 thing, bet she didn't hit her child again in public.

  20. Allen Craft

    There were other people working with Mr.Garcia that day. AND there were other people in the returant. Simply by not telling Milo's family doesn't insure no one else would say anything. Of course that's the simple explanation. Critical thinking is a lost science.

  22. Rita Ann Serpa-Leid

    OH YEAAAAAAAAAAAH! I'll def b looking for LORENZO's & Waiter Garcia!

  24. Donna Artist

    There r just stupid, ignorant people in the world that cant b helped——-

  27. Helen Chapman

    Blessings to you Michael! I am a mum to two special needs children, and know a lot of parents with special needs children as a result. Many of them have been on the receiving end of discrimination and even abuse. People like you give me hope. :)

  29. Lee Tilson

    I want to encourage more good deeds by celebrating Michael Garcia's good deed, and the fact that the restaurant supported him. I have posted more info at the links below. This is a great opportunity to stand up for people.

    Thank you Roland Laurenzo.

    Can we use this to make the world a better place? Anyone want to work with me on this?

    Lee Tilson

    peoplematter@gmx.com
    http://tinyurl.com/HeroMichaelGarcia
    http://tinyurl.com/HeroMichaelGarciaFacebookNote
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/people.do.matter/?fref=ts

  30. Zenos Pipkin

    I had two cousins who were born into the same family in the 1940s and at that time they were not treated very well by society. These days however more and more people are aware and give those with Down Syndrome the respect they deserve, as did this fine waiter. Good for Mr. Garcia!

  31. Wendy Hoffman

    I have a friend whom son is artistic, problely didn't spell it right any way He is the sweetest and Loving child you could meet' He is a blessing from God so I commend you Sir for being human with a heart and caring so much you'd risk your job. Hat's off to you and God bless you!

  32. Robin Sanders

    Mr. Garcia, My husband and I have a 28 year old daughter with Downs. They are beautiful, special, loves everyone, and are so happy. They make us happy. The world is full of ignorant people. Our little Angela is a blessing and has brought our family so much happiness, fun, and has taught me what life is really about. You are a wonderful person, and I thank you myself for the courage you showed for this family. We love you, Robin and Fred and Angela

  36. John W. Harris

    When I was younger my neighbor had a special needs child and my brothers and I played with him all the time.We never saw him as different just as a friend.Mr.Garcia is truely a wonderful man.God bless you sir.

  38. Leanne Kokaly Masterson

    I have a 6 year old boy…the most beautiful kid in the world to me….he has spastic quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. He is a child with 'Special Needs' and if Ii were in that restaurant and over herd that I would me HARD PRESSED to keep my composure. As mothers we protect our kids….as a Mom of a child with special needs you are facing a Mama Bear on STEROIDS and I will hand your A** to you in 5.2 seconds…..deal!

  39. Leanne Kokaly Masterson

    I have a 6 year old boy…the most beautiful kid in the world to me….he has spastic quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. He is a child with 'Special Needs' and if Ii were in that restaurant and over herd that I would me HARD PRESSED to keep my composure. As mothers we protect our kids….as a Mom of a child with special needs you are facing a Mama Bear on STEROIDS and I will hand your A** to you in 5.2 seconds…..deal!

  40. Brenda Nix

    I have to agree with you totally. I don't work with special need children, but have one of my own. I can't stand the idea of watching peaple look @ my child like they do, it gives the feeling like they think what is wrong with this child. Plus i see special needs people everywhere i go & i watch how other people look @ them. I am constantly thinking to myself (they don't know how they feel)

  42. Delbert Thrash

    There is another lesson to be learned here,thanks to Mr. Garcia. We hear it all the time……..I can't do anything about it "I'm just one person"…..Mr. Garcia is just one person ( or is he thousands)..one person with courage gets the ball rolling and just look what happens !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  43. Tim Buktu

    Good for Michael Garcia. That child deserves respect and support from ALL people. The IGNORANT a-hole who made the uncalled for, classless, tacky, cheap, uneducated, narrow/small minded crappy comment DESERVED to be kicked out of the restaurant and told NEVER to return. Anyone with special needs has enough to deal with in this life. Without dumb ass ignorant Neanderthals opening their mouths and proving how truly backwards they truly are!