Table was too low for his wheelchair, so he sat away. Then the owners did something he'd never forget

Accessibility in the world is still a challenge for many people who use wheelchairs, and out of the many issues, dining out, in particular, often presents barriers that can make an otherwise simple experience frustrating. However, a recent experience in Seoul shared by Cory Lee, an advocate for accessible travel, on his Instagram page @curbfreecorylee shows just how much of a difference a small gesture can make.

When Lee arrived at a restaurant and sat down to eat, he immediately noticed that the table was too low for his wheelchair, forcing him to sit further away from it. This situation is one that many people with mobility challenges face daily. However, unlike other times, this restaurant’s owners recognized the problem and went above and beyond to help. Instead of simply acknowledging the issue, they brought out steel tubs to lift the table to a more accessible height, allowing Lee to sit comfortably and enjoy his meal. "It was a small gesture, but it reminded me that kindness is everywhere. Sure, there's a lot of bad in this world, but I fully believe that there's more good," he said. What Lee felt is what many people feel when they receive spontaneous acts of kindness.

A 2022 study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that performing random acts of kindness not only increases happiness for the receiver but also the giver, even though the givers often underestimate the positive impact their actions have. In their study, simple gestures, such as sending a card or offering help, led to increased well-being for both parties involved. This reinforces the idea that small, selfless acts, such as the restaurant owners’ thoughtful gesture, can make a significant emotional impact. Viewers were also moved by the random act of kindness and appreciated the staff for being considerate.

@abbeybenj commented, "Wow! Now this is incredible!!! The world is certainly not accessible, but this is special that they saw a need and met it." @bellemoone21 said, "As a mom to a recently disabled son who’s now in a wheelchair, that brought tears to my eyes. We need more kindness in this world, and what a beautiful example. Thank you!" @globalgallivanting shared a broader perspective, writing, "You're right — people all over the world are generally good and kind — that's what travel teaches us." @sarah.thuong.s, who reflected on her own experience with her father, who uses a wheelchair, saying, "I would have loved this gesture, my father is in a wheelchair and I remember pushing him around when it was all new, and everyone's kindness towards it was appreciated — hard to ask for help, sometimes it can be easier when offered or they spring into action. I love to see this."

@geri_su echoed, "Absolutely! With all these horrible things going on in this world, I would like to believe the same — that there is more good than bad, and all we have to do right now is to spread human kindness." @i_stole_chan_his_laptop chimed in, "See people, it's not that hard to do something so small for us, but to us, it means the world. Please start being more understanding towards disabilities (visible and not visible)," and @purplelily922 said, "Moments like this remind me of the beauty of humanity."

You can follow Cory Lee (@curbfreecorylee) on Instagram for more travel content.