The experience Jennifer Dreyer Brown had at Happy Nails in Laguna Niguel, California stands in stark contrast to the relaxation and harmony usually associated with visits to nail salons. Instead of making Jennifer feel comfortable and well taken care of, she left the salon feeling humiliated and heartbroken. Her meeting highlights the challenges that individuals with medical conditions face in the public space, especially when these conditions are misunderstood or stigmatized.
Living with lupus, an autoimmune condition that causes skin irritation and rashes, Jennifer’s visit to the nail salon was fraught with tension and discrimination. Although her condition was non-communicable and only affected her, she was subjected to unfair treatment by salon staff who refused to provide her service due to her skin condition.
Many people associate relaxation and harmony with visits to nail salons. where you feel comfortable and well taken care of.
For Laguna Niguel, California’s Jennifer, the visit was a completely different story. Finally, she got furious and left the salon.
When Jennifer Dreyer Brown went to the nail salon, she felt humiliated and broken. Jennifer Dreyer Brown claims that because she had lupus, employees at Happy Nails in Laguna Niguel abused her.
Lupus is an autoimmune condition. Skin irritation and rashes are caused by the condition. Although lupus manifests as obvious skin symptoms, it is not contagious, contrary to popular belief.
Jennifer has discoid lupus, a skin condition that gets worse in the sun and leads to painful rashes.
Jennifer happened 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 requested a manicure and pedicure and the salon staff fulfilled her request. At first, she did not realize that she was being observed and discussed. She thought she was going to get a typical, relaxing spa session.
It wasn’t until she was getting her pedicure that she realized the staff was referring to her. Jennifer was surprised to find that the staff had very little time to complete her manicure on time. They told her they didn’t have much time.
After a while, some of Jennifer’s staff told what was really causing the problem – the condition of her skin. Jennifer was refused service, even though she replied that she didn’t even have scars.
Jennifer posted a video of her public humiliation on Facebook to make people aware of the rough treatment she received at the manicure because she was so ashamed and humiliated by it.
Because I have lupus and break out easily, people make fun of me when I decide to wear a summer dress outside in 110-degree temperatures.” I’ve never felt like a leper or more stigmatized than in Orange County. I’m just trying to express that you should be respectful of other people, you can never know what someone is experiencing inside or outside.
In a statement, an attorney for the salon defended the employees, saying they continued to follow guidelines set forth by the California Board of Cosmetology:
“Happy Nails expresses its regret to a client who disclosed that he has lupus.
There is no discrimination at Happy Nails. The customer perceived our inability to paint her nails as discriminatory.
The workforce consists of immigrants who work extremely hard and only want to provide a service. However, they must follow the norms of the law.
Jennifer has previously stated that she has no plans to return, despite her regular visits to the salon in the past.
Jennifer also hopes that her work at the salon will help spread awareness of lupus as a medical condition and end future discrimination against those who suffer from it.
Jennifer’s experience at a nail salon in Laguna Niguel, California was not the relaxing and harmonious visit that many people associate with such establishments. Instead, she was met with humiliation and heartbreak when salon staff refused to give her a manicure because of her lupus, a condition that causes skin irritation and rashes. Despite her attempts to explain and advocate, Jennifer was rejected, feeling stigmatized and ashamed.
Her decision to share her story on social media was an effort to raise awareness of the discrimination she faced and advocate for respect and understanding for individuals with medical conditions such as lupus. While the salon’s attorney defended the employees’ actions, saying they followed instructions, Jennifer’s experience shed light on the need for more sensitivity and compassion when interacting with customer service.
Jennifer’s determination not to return to the salon, despite being a regular customer, is indicative of the incident’s impact on her. Still, she hopes that by speaking out, she can help educate others about lupus and prevent future discrimination against people with the condition.
Ultimately, Jennifer’s experience serves as a reminder that empathy and compassion should always guide our interactions with others, especially when it comes to understanding and accommodating individuals with medical conditions.