A New York barber has been praised for his kindness after he cut the hair of a man in a wheelchair on the street outside the shop because it wasn't wheelchair accessible.
Thirty-four-year-old hairstylist Victor Burgos knew that the man couldn't get his wheelchair into the shop as it's in an old building without a ramp, but that didn't stop him from cutting the guy's hair regardless.
Burgos, who has worked in Joe's Upscale Barber Shop for about three years, told Inside Edition: "It's about making sure everyone gets a proper grooming."
Good man.
He spotted the motorised wheelchair-bound chap outside the shop, and seconds later received a phone call from the guy.
Burgos explained: "As soon as he said, 'Do you guys take walk-ins?' I knew that's who was outside.
"I immediately ran out there with two other barbers to see if we could get him in somehow."
After trying to lift the chair inside, it eventually became clear that they couldn't get him in. Undeterred by that set-back, Burgos got his things and went mobile.
He continued: "We weren't going to be able to get this heavy-duty thing in here so I took my cordless barber clippers, trimmers, shavers, and sheers, straight blade, comb - everything I need to give him the same haircut that he'd get if he came inside.
"He definitely needed a haircut.
"It looked like he hadn't had a haircut in about a month. It was pretty shaggy [and] I know how good it feels to get that weight off of you. I could tell that he's never had a good experience. I could tell without even asking him, and I just wanted to change it for him."
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He certainly did that. Now, members of the local community are trying to raise money to get a ramp for the shop. Until then, Burgos has said that he would cut the man's hair outside.
The good news reached Joe Cocozza, the shop's owner. He posted a touching tribute to his employee on Facebook that has since gone viral.
He wrote: "I wasn't there, but a few days ago at the shop we had a man in a wheelchair come to the shop on a recommendation. Unfortunately, we are not handicapped accessible. Not knowing why he was out there. No one in the shop gave it any mind.
"Then our phone rang. It's was the man outside looking for a way to come in. This is where I'm proud to say, instead of telling him we couldn't do it because we are not handicapped accessible, Victor Burgos went outside with his tools and cut his hair on the sidewalk.
"I couldn't be happier when I was told this story. I couldn't be happier to work and know a person of such kind nature as Victor. I'm proud to know that even when I'm not around our staff will go out of their way. Just to make someone happy!"
He continued: "He did not have to do this. Vic is one of our busiest barbers and is always busy. So Vic thank you for being that guy, and not only always proving what type of person you are but also being a CLASS ACT and bringing class to Joe's Upscale Barber Shop."
Well said. And well played, Victor LAD.
Featured Image Credit: FacebookTopics: US News, New York, Hair