A nurse has taken to Facebook to defend herself after she was publicly criticised for her multicoloured hair.
Mum of one Mary Walls, who works as a nurse looking after Dementia and Alzheimer's patients, was shopping in her local supermarket when the cashier took an interest in her brightly-coloured hair and enquired about her job.
Mary told her followers on Facebook that as she was paying for her goods the cashier saw her hospital badge and asked 'So what do you do there?'. The cashier was surprised when Mary said she was a nurse and said: 'I'm surprised they let you work there like that. What do your patients think about your hair?'
Mary was taken back by the rudeness of the cashier, but she then went further by asking the elderly lady behind her what she thought of it. She went on to say that the old lady remarked: 'Nothing against you honey, it's just not for me.'
[facebook] https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10209630657273516&set=pb.1541318678.-2207520000.1469095642.&type=3&theater [/facebook] Upset and angry with the cashier's comments, Mary took to Facebook to share her thoughts on being judged for her appearance, and how it makes no difference to her ability to do her job.
'Well, here's my thoughts. I can't recall a time that my hair colour has prevented me from providing life saving treatment to one of my patients. My tattoos have never kept them from holding my hand and as they lay frightened and crying because Alzheimer's has stolen their mind.
'My multiple ear piercings have never interfered with me hearing them reminisce about their better days or listening to them as they express their last wishes.
[facebook] https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10209640220752597&set=ecnf.1541318678&type=3&theater[/facebook] 'My tongue piercing has never kept me from speaking words of encouragement to a newly diagnosed patient or from comforting a family that is grieving.
'So, please explain to me how my appearance, while being paired with my cheerful disposition, servant's heart, and smiling face, has made me unfit to provide nursing care and unable to do my job!'
Mary's story has since gone viral on Facebook, with many commenting on how inspirational they found her words. One user commented with: 'I absolutely love your story!
'As nurses we get overlooked so much for what we do and to be put down like your were and to rise so far above that so fast is a beautiful thing! You are an inspiration to nurses everywhere...me included!!'
