IHOP employee pictured with disabled customer melts hearts around the world

Thomas revealed a heart of gold.

Joe Thomas has been an IHOP employee for over a decade in Springfield, Illinois, so when a couple of regulars came into his restaurant, he knew what he had to do.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Thomas, who is known for his positive attitude and big heart, noticed a pair of regulars enter the restaurant.

They were an older couple and habitually at in his section at least once each week.

Over the years, Thomas became familiar with the couple's routine. They would order their food and the man would feed his wife, who suffers from Huntington's disease, first. Once she was satisfied,he would then turn to his own plate and enjoy his meal.

When Thomas delivered their order in mid-March, he decided to sit at the table and offer his assistance.

"I didn't really offer," Thomas told CBS. "I just started doing it. I told the gentleman to 'Sit down, eat your food. I got her.'"

The man graciously accepted Thomas' offer and enjoyed his hot meal while his wife also enjoyed hers with help from the friendly waiter.

Keshia Dotson, a customer sitting across from the couple, noticed Thomas lightly dabbing the woman's mouth with a cloth napkin after feeding her.

Touched, she snapped a photo and posted it to IHOP's Facebook with the message: "Today while visiting your Springfield, IL location on Dirksen I witnessed a very touching moment involving one of your servers.

"A man and disabled wom[a]n were dining and your server sat down with them and proceeded to help feed the disabled woman while her companion enjoyed his food. My faith in humanity has been restored a little today."

The post went viral, with Dotson eventually telling CNN, "I have worked in the retail and service industry in the past, and know that people usually only contact corporate with negative feedback, so I wanted to share some positive [news]."

She further explained how Thomas went above and beyond when the woman began to cough.

"She was coughing and then would gag really loud almost like she was choking. The first time she did it almost the entire restaurant went silent and he cracked a joke and reduced the tension.

"It wasn't long after that that we noticed him sitting down with her and helping feed her and once she was done get her all cleaned up."

Thomas told WICS, "I always see him stop eating to feed her and I was like, 'Heck, if I'm not doing anything why don't I go feed her so he can eat and everyone can be happy?"

Since then, every time the couple dines at his IHOP, Thomas lends a helping hand.

"I really treat people like I want to be treated," Thomas explained. "If I get to be that age and something happened to me I would want someone to help out."

Many who saw the viral image of Thomas left supportive comments, such as Thomas' coworker Amanda W, who wrote, "This is no big deal for him. He does this every time. He's an awesome coworker."

Customer Melissa R. wrote: "This man is a great server. He's waited on my family a few times when we've been to IHOP. This warms my heart to see this. What a kind soul."

IHOP's executive director of communications, Stephanie Peterson, admitted Thomas is known for his kind nature. She added, "He's always willing to help regular guests that come in. This just happened to be captured."

Thomas admitted he worked in a rehabilitation center for a year and helped care for his ailing parents when they struggled through diabetes and prostate cancer respectively.

"I have a soft heart," he explained. "Everything I do is honestly just natural, besides the way my parents raised me. I don't think about it. I just do it."

He continued, saying he hopes others will follow their hearts and do what's right when they can as well.

"Remember that movie, 'Pay it Forward?' That's what I'm hoping for."

---

The California Network is the Next Wave in delivery of information and entertainment on pop culture, social trends, lifestyle, entertainment, news, politics and economics. We are hyper-focused on one audience, YOU, the connected generation. JOIN US AS WE REDEFINE AND REVOLUTIONIZE THE EVER-CHANGING MEDIA LANDSCAPE.