Fantastic Sams, The is NOT disabled person friendly Monrovia California

NOT SO FANTASTIC SAMS

My 71 year old disabled mother visited the Fantastic Sam's in Monrovia on several occasions. On her first visit, she went in for a cut and color, the stylist cut 3 inches off more than she asked and dyed her normal blonde hair and odd blondish brown. Needless to say she was not happy as this is not what she asked for.

She returned the following weekend and was approached by Lena who agreed the color was bad and would correct it. My mother left happy and Lena was tipped well. The following weekend my mother returned wanting a wash and style. Because of her disability it makes it difficult to balance in the shower to do her own hair.

My mother was helped into the salon by brother who wears a face mask due to an immune system disorder. When Lena saw my mother enter the salon she looked upset. My mother asked if anything was wrong and Lena asked what she wanted this time, which was a wash style. My brother left my mom with Lena who escorted her to her station. Once my mother was seated Lena squatted in front of her and asked "we all want to know why your son wears that mask?" The Owner Robert called in front of everyone, "yeah why does he wear it." My mother stated due to severe allergies. Both Lena and Robert kept pressing my mother with questions, like what is he allergic to grass? And they along with the rest of the staff began laughing when my mother refused to answer them.

When my mother returned home she was quite upset and told me what had just happened. I immediately called the salon and asked for Lena. I told her if she has a problem doing my mother hair than say so, but do not humiliate her in front of everyone. And I asked why did she feel it necessary to continue to badger my mother about her son and his need to wear the mask, let alone for everyone to make joke of it? Lena answered, "well we wanted to know." I told her it was none of her business and she should not have asked in the first place. I told that they made my mother feel very uncomfortable and Lena than hung up on me.

I called back and spoke with Joe who stated he was the manager. I explained to him what had happened and asked if that was commonplace in the salon to make fun of and treat badly disabled individuals. He than told me mother is in fact "NOT disabled" even though it is obvious she uses's cane and needs to be assisted walking and her speech is altered. I asked if he was out of his mind.

Joe went on to tell me I should be glad that he did not know she was disabled and that he thought she was a "regular senior" and what was I so upset about. I replied, I guess your cosmetology license makes you qualified to make that determination.

When I asked him why all the questions about my brother and his need for a mask, he stated they wanted to know and wondered if he was wearing it because of the salon products. I said you never stated that to my mother as your reason for asking and that it was no ones business in the salon to ask those types of questions. Also, why continue to ask after my mother had already gave an answer? Joe gave no reply as to why that felt it so humorous.

I feel Robert (Owner), Joe (manager) and Lena (stylist) are despicable human beings. At a public place of business they used some one's disability as a source of their amusement and to harass a disabled senior. Apparently, they have no tact or empathy for the disabled or seniors for that matter.

SHAME ON YOU ROBERT-JOE and LENA. Your behavior is truly pathetic and shows just what kind of people you are and what type of business you run. Now all you have to do is place a sign in your window stating you do not cater to the disabled or seniors, than at least the public would be forewarned before entering! NOT SO FANTASTIC SAMS

Standing up for the disabled
Monrovia, California
U.S.A.