It is unfortunate when a day intended for relaxation turns into an upsetting experience due to misunderstanding and lack of awareness. Meeting Jennifer at Happy Nails underscores the importance of empathy and understanding when it comes to health issues that may not be immediately visible. Her courageous decision to share her story aims to raise awareness of lupus and the challenges people with it face and advocate for inclusivity and respect. Such incidents serve as a reminder to businesses and individuals alike to prioritize sensitivity and education about various health conditions and thus foster a more compassionate environment for everyone.
We just like to treat ourselves sometimes.
This can translate into a manicure, a soothing massage, or some much-needed retail therapy.
Unfortunately, not every visit to the nail salon ends happily.
We’ve all heard the horror stories of clients who go in to get their nails done only to find the technicians talking rudely about them in a different language, or worse, real painful experiences caused by product allergies or carelessness on the part of the worker.
But a California woman went to a nail salon and was heartbroken and embarrassed.
Jennifer Dreyer Brown claims that because she has lupus, the staff at Happy Nails in Laguna Niguel treated her unfairly.
Lupus is an autoimmune condition. Skin inflammation and rashes are caused by the disorder.
Although obvious symptoms remain on the skin, lupus is not contagious, despite what some people may believe.
Jennifer has discoid lupus, a skin condition that is aggravated by exposure to sunlight and leads to severe rashes.
Jennifer decided to visit the salon on one of the hottest days of the year.
Jennifer was wearing a summer dress because the weather was so hot. She entered the salon intending to get a manicure and pedicure, which the staff approved.
At first, she did not realize that she was being watched and discussed. She thought she was just going to get a typical, soothing spa treatment.
It wasn’t until she was getting her pedicure that she realized the staff were talking about her.
Then when it came time for Jennifer’s manicure, she was surprised to find that the staff only had enough time for a quick polish.
They gave her the excuse that they were pressed for time. After a while, some of the staff told Jennifer the truth – that her skin condition was the cause of the problem.
Jennifer was refused service even after she replied that she didn’t even have scars.
Jennifer posted a video of the incident on Facebook to alert others to the unfair treatment she received at the nail salon because she was so upset and ashamed of her public humiliation.
“When I decide to wear a summer dress outside in 110-degree weather, people criticize me and say I have lupus and rashes on my skin.
I have never felt more judged and like a leper in Orange County. All I’m trying to say is that you should treat people with respect. You have no idea what anyone is going through, internally or externally.
An attorney for the salon defended the employees in a statement, saying they continued to follow the California Board of Cosmetology code:
“No person … shall perform treatment on the surface of the skin or scalp where that skin is inflamed or broken … or where a skin infection or rash is present.”
The lawyer went on to emphasize that none of the employees intended to discriminate:
“At Happy Nails, we feel sorry for the client who disclosed that he has lupus. Happy Nails is a place without discrimination.
The client perceived our inability to do our nails as a prejudice. Laborers are immigrants who work extremely hard and only want to provide a service.
However, they must comply with legal requirements.”
Although she used to go to the salon often, Jennifer has already said that she does not intend to go back there. In addition, Jennifer hopes that her time at the salon will help spread the word about lupus as a disease and stop discrimination against people with the condition in the future.
It is disheartening to hear about Jennifer’s unpleasant experience at the nail salon due to her lupus. Cases like this shed light on the need for greater understanding and sensitivity toward various health conditions, especially those that visibly affect the skin. Jennifer’s courage to share her story serves as a call for awareness and empathy, encouraging people to consider the challenges others may face, whether visible or hidden. Hopefully, this incident will spark conversations and educate individuals about conditions like lupus and foster a more inclusive and compassionate environment.
Jennifer’s advocacy for greater awareness and empathy for diseases like lupus resonates deeply. Her decision to share her story not only highlights the challenges faced by people with similar conditions but also serves as a catalyst for change. By raising awareness and sparking conversations, Jennifer’s experience can encourage businesses and individuals to prioritize inclusivity and educate themselves about different health conditions. Through empathy and understanding, we can foster an environment that is supportive, respectful, and welcoming to everyone, regardless of the visible or invisible health issues they may face.