IHOP Act Of Kindness: Waiter Praised For Helping Woman With Disability

SPRINGFIELD, IL — A waiter at a Springfield IHOP restaurant is drawing praise after a customer's photo of his act of kindness was shared thousands of times on social media.

Customer Keshia Dotson was eating at the restaurant when she spotted waiter Joe Thomas helping feed a woman in a wheelchair.

In a post shared more than 4,500 times, Dotson posted a photo of the incident on IHOP's Facebook page, writing, "Today while visiting your Springfield, IL location on Dirksen I witnessed a very touching moment involving one of your servers. A man and disabled (woman) were dining and your server sat down with them and proceeded to help feed the disabled woman while her companion enjoyed his food. My faith in humanity has been restored a little today."

Dotson told NBC News the waiter stepped in after the woman began coughing loudly. "The entire restaurant was dead quiet. The waiter cracked a joke about it, and it made her smile," Dotson said. She said she shared the photo because she wanted to give IHOP positive feedback about Thomas' actions.

Thomas told told NBC affiliate WAND he was just helping out a regular customer. "My mother and father always told me to treat everybody as equals, no matter what race, creed, color, whatever," he said. "I just love helping people. Every Saturday they'll come in and they don't even need menus or anything. I know exactly what they want." Thomas told CBS that helping the couple is just part of his routine.

Strangers and customers commented on Dotson's post, praising Thomas.

"This man is s great server," one IHOP diner wrote. "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."

Another added, "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."

While many people praised Thomas, a freelance journalist took issue with Dotson's post.

"Do not take pictures of disabled people without consent," David Perry wrote on his website. "Do not share pictures you shouldn't have taken on social media without consent." Calling Dotson the "latest culprit," Perry shared a story of a previous incident, which he said amounts to objectifying the person with a disability.

Since the photo went viral, Thomas told CNN affiliate WICS he's been offered the opportunity to become a nurse.

AP Photo/Nick Ut