Man with Down syndrome running sandwich shop looks past complaint to health department

Andrew Ankar working the grill at Ankar's Hoagies.
Andrew Ankar working the grill at Ankar's Hoagies.

Alex Ankar has had enough.

He responded to a report filed with the local health inspector about an adult with down syndrome being in the kitchen of a restaurant with a heart-warming post about how his brother, Andrew Ankar, had been working tirelessly with a smile on his face to keep the Ankar legacy going strong after their father's death. The two brothers are the sons of George Ankar who founded Ankar's Hoagies Restaurants Inc. and died in April 2015.

From Alex Ankar's Facebook post:

Ever since my dad passed away, my little bro has been working day in and day out at Ankar's Hoagies to ensure that my father's legacy keeps going strong. From greeting customers to cleaning the dining room to working the grill, Andrew works tirelessly to make sure our business is a success - and he does it all with a smile on his face.

When I learned that someone had the audacity to file a report with the local health inspector over an adult with Down syndrome being in the kitchen of a restaurant that he is not just employed at, but that he owns, I was floored. It makes my blood boil that there are people in this world who don't have an ounce of kindness in their heart to appreciate what an amazing person he is. The fact that there are people out there in this world that view people with disabilities as sub-human disgusts me.

Sometimes I sit back and marvel at Andrew's ability to love everyone... even people who aren't deserving of his kindness. He knows no hate. If the people out there who constantly ridicule people with disabilities had even half of Andrew's capability to love EVERYONE, this world would be a better place.

I challenge every single person who reads this to take a minute to put all differences aside. Whether it's ability, race, sexual orientation, religion, whatever - try to put your differences aside and love one another. Trust me, the world would be a much better place if everyone had Andrew's ability. He's not the disabled one, we are.

Love you, kid.

You can read the entire post below.

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