Living with cerebral palsy is not easy. The simplest tasks can be a struggle whether it was tying your own shoelaces, brushing your own teeth, or writing down a note. This was the reality Lee Bondurant and his mother, Linda, had to live with.
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It was hard for Linda to see her son struggle over the simplest things. So, when the two were eating out to celebrate Lee’s birthday at a local restaurant, it pained her to see Lee struggling to eat his food on such a special occasion. Then, someone walked up to their table, and what he did stunned everyone.
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affects coordination, balance, and muscle movement. This condition greatly affects a person’s posture and ability to control his or her own movements. It is a common motor disability during childhood.
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Cerebral palsy is usually caused by brain damage or abnormal development of the brain. As a result, the sufferer loses the ability to control his or her muscles. This is why even the simplest tasks can become impossible to do for them.
Meet Lee
Lee is a 51-year-old who had to live with the congenital disorder most of his life. And even though cerebral palsy had made his life difficult, he came to accept this unfortunate reality and was determined to live life the best way possible.
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Lee was a special person not just because of his condition but also because of his spirit. He loved life and had a hunger to live each day as if it was his last. Even with his condition, he loved to go on adventures and try out new things. He even went skydiving – a feat not everyone had the guts to do!
Working hard
Lee chose to not let cerebral palsy get the best of him. He grew up to be as independent as he could. He even maintained a job. Lee works at Krogers, a local grocery store, and was able to do his duties well. Sure, he had some bad days but he knew better than to let it upset him.
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While most people who had total control of their bodies could not maintain their jobs, Lee was very happy to do his share of labor at Krogers. He had been an inspiring figure to all of his workmates and patrons of the grocery store.
Birthday dinner
When Lee’s birthday came up, he chose to spend his birthday with his mother, Linda. Lee decided to go to the 42nd St. Oyster Bar, a popular restaurant in his hometown, Raleigh, North Carolina. Apparently, Lee wanted to try out their oysters.
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The 42nd St. Oyster Bar and Seafood Grill is well known for its southern seafood tradition. The business has been around since 1931, where it first started out as a grocery store that offered draft beer and oysters.
The episode
Cerebral palsy can cause the patient’s victim to shake uncontrollably. So, when they were out celebrating Lee’s birthday, he had an episode coming. His hand started to shake uncontrollably and he had difficulty getting food into his mouth.
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This meant, he would have a hard time eating the oysters that he was looking forward to. Even though Linda was there to help him out, the birthday dinner soon turned into a complicated task. Linda had a hard time eating her own meal and helping out Lee eat his food at the same time.
The commotion
The whole thing was starting to become awkward and embarrassing. The restaurant was full at that time and some people started to whisper and stare. Linda and Lee did not mind them as they were used to this treatment by now. They did their best to try to enjoy their meal.
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The waiter assigned to their table was a college student who went by the nickname, “Five.” Five started to notice the commotion at their table. How he reacted was a move that not everyone would have done for the mother and son.
Sharing the wonders of oysters
Five casually approached the table and asked Lee if he had tried oysters before. Lee replied that this would be his first time. Five then continued to encourage Lee to give it a try as it was their specialty. He then asked Lee if he could do the honor of serving him Lee’s first oyster.
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Linda recalled the scene fondly and took note of how Five approached the situation in a way that would not be embarrassing for Lee. Instead of straightforwardly letting them know that he was there to help, he made Lee feel like he was there to share an experience with him.
Unexpected help
Linda was taken aback by Five’s approach at first. She was not used to people treating them with kindness and generosity during Lee’s bad days. While most people would judge and avoid them, Five chose to give a helping hand and make Lee feel at home in the restaurant.
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As a mother of a child with special needs, it really touched her heart that a total stranger would come up to their table with the genuine intention to help. Five had not only helped Lee eat, but he also gave Linda the chance to enjoy her meal while it was still warm.
Beyond his duty
And as if it was nothing, Five simply helped to feed Lee the rest of his meal. This delighted Lee as he had been looking forward to eating the meal all day. Linda was simply stunned by the kindness and patience Five had shown to them.
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The restaurant was busy at that time but this waiter had stopped what he was doing just to spoonfeed Lee. It was a task that was even far from his job description yet he did it as if it was no big deal and he had all the time in the world.
Lee’s reaction
Lee was also aware of the kindness that Five had shown him and his mother. He was very aware that most people would not even bother to help him out. He instantly knew that there was something special about Five.
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Lee and Five started talking and joking around as if they were old friends throughout the meal. Although Lee’s birthday celebration did not start out well, it was quite clear that he was having a good time because of Five.
One-of-a-kind waiter
Five’s sense of professionalism also impressed Lee and Linda. He did not show any judgment on his face. He was very patient as he fed Lee. And he even was conversing with Lee as if he was an old friend.
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Normally, Lee would turn down this kind of assistance. He taught himself to be independent and was used to doing things for himself, even on bad days. But Five’s genuineness was hard to ignore so he let Five serve him, and it meant a lot.
Linda captures the moment
Little did Five know that Linda was able to capture a photo of him feeding Lee. When they got home later that evening, Linda shared the photo on her Facebook account, expressing gratitude for Five. And encouraging her Facebook friends to ask for Five the next time they dine in the restaurant.
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Her exact caption was: “When you dine at 42nd Street Oyster Bar please ask for a server by the name of “FIVE” He saw me trying to eat and help Lee. He insisted on helping showing Lee total respect. Let me know there are still decent and compassionate people left in our country. — feeling grateful.”
The post goes viral
It did not take long for the post to be viral. After all, Lee was quite well-known in their community because of his special condition and his likable personality. A lot of people started commenting and expressing their respect and admiration for Five.
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The post had been shared thousands of times not just by Linda’s friends but also by strangers from all over the world who were touched by the moment the two had shared. The story became so popular to the point that even the local news became interested in their story.
Lee’s interview
The reporters were able to contact Lee and get his side of the story. Lee made sure to let everyone know how grateful he was for Five’s actions. He shared that he really appreciated what Five did for him. And that for Lee, what Five showed him was the ultimate act of kindness.
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For a stranger to care for another when they know they would not benefit from it, that is a rare kindness that people barely see these days. And for Lee who has a disability, any form of kindness is truly appreciated.
Lee made the restaurant proud
The reporters went to the 42nd St. Oyster Bar in hopes of interviewing the now-famous waiter. Unfortunately, he was not on duty at that time. It turned out that Five was actually working two jobs to help him get through college.
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The reporters were able to interview the manager, Ryan Tyson instead. Ryan shared that he was proud of Five and that the restaurant was very fortunate to have someone like Five working with them. Not only was Five a genuinely kind person, but he was also clearly a hard worker.
Five’s reaction to his fame
Five did not have a social media account so he learned about the viral post a little late. His boss in the restaurant had to inform Five about it. When he found out that the photo of him feeding Lee was going viral, he could not believe it.
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Five recalled how he went to the gas station and was surprised when a stranger offered to pay for his gas. It turned out that the stranger recognized him from the viral Facebook post. Five had to decline the offer politely.
The community gives back
Five shared that some people have offered to give him help in ways that he never dreamed of for his act of kindness. Of course, being the modest man that he was, Five said that he declined all these offers. He had always said that anyone would have done what he did.
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People were starting to give him a lot of support. He also started receiving letters from people around the world. Some of the letters came with cash and Five placed the money in a fund created in Lee’s name for a cerebral palsy foundation.
Five’s interview
It was clear to see that Five was an incredibly modest, humble, and good-hearted man. When asked about the fateful night when he decided to help Lee out, Five downplayed his act of kindness as he always does.
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Five then explained that seafood is always best eaten hot. He noticed Lee struggling and he did not want Lee’s food to get cold because he would miss the whole experience of enjoying the meal. “I just wanted to help a fellow man out.”
Lee becomes a regular
Since celebrating his birthday dinner, Lee had returned to the restaurant a couple more times to visit his new friend, Five. He was becoming a regular in the restaurant and everyone on the staff knew him. Every time Lee saw Five, he always took the chance to let him know that he is the best waiter and that Five means so much to him. Five, of course, was always the one to wait at their table.
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While Five was just helping out a struggling customer that night, he did not anticipate that he would be making a lifelong friend. And Five cherishes Lee’s friendship a lot. This just goes to show how little acts of kindness can have big impact on someone’s life.