"I refuse to touch her:" Woman steps up to treat girl with rare disorder, denied a birthday manicure



ST. LOUIS, Missouri -- When a girl in Jefferson County, Missouri was refused service at a nail salon a special woman stepped up to right the wrong.

Kate Southard was born with a rare disorder called Larsen's Syndrome, which affects every single joint in her body.

The disease limits her mobility, but not her determination. She's a painter, an award winning photographer and a college student majoring in web design.

On her 22nd birthday, she made an appointment to get her nails done at a salon, but when she showed up, the manicurist looked at her hands and refused to give her the service.

"He said 'she's in a wheelchair and anything he painted on her nails she'd just mess up,'" said Kimberly, Kate's nurse. "I said, 'No, she wouldn't. Her hands lay out perfectly flat,' and I showed him, and he said 'No, I refuse to touch her.'"

Dana Eggemeyer was in the salon and saw what happened.

"I literally almost cried for her," she said.

Dana works at a different salon as a stylist.

"I just thought to myself, 'I can help this girl out,' so I just walked outside and said, 'I don't do nails regularly. I normally do hair, but I would be happy to do your nails today if you want to come meet me at the salon I work at,'" said Dana.

On her day off, Dana gave Kate her birthday manicure.

"She was there to make my day better," Kate said.

"She made my day as much as I made hers," Dana said. "I was glad to be able to help someone else out. God put me in the right place at the right time."