Care home chef Karolina in line for catering award
STAR TREK legend George Takei has highlighted the plight of a man with dwarfism after a waitress asked if he’d like a highchair.
In a blog post to raise awareness of Scope charity’s #EndtheAwkward campaign, Phil Lusted details the “odd situations” he’s experienced in his life.
It was quickly picked up by the national press and shared by the actor, who played Lieutenant Sulu in the iconic sci-fi series, on his Facebook page. Mr Takei said: “I do think we all need to learn how NOT to act in these situations.”
The 31-year-old web designer from Rhos-on-Sea responded to the film star to say he’d “laughed it off” when a waitress asked his date if she needed a high chair. He said his aim was to raise awareness about his condition, diastrophic dysplasia, which means he stands at 3ft tall.
Phil said: “Everyone makes these mistakes, the important thing is how we deal with the situation, with respect and understanding on both sides.”
“I was surprised when a friend told A CHEF has reached new heights in her job.
Karolina Raslawska (pictured), from m Cartrefle care home me in Llanrwst, is a finalist in the Wales Care Awards.
Karolina, 35, who moved to the Conwy Valley from Poland nine years ago, has been shortlisted d in the Excellence in Catering in Caree category, sponsored by Woodwards Foodservice. The ceremony will be held at Cardiff City Hall on November 6.
She is one of two cooks catering for 25 men and women Elderly and me that George Takei had shared the article with 8,983,834 followers on his Facebook page, not in a bad way, but in a good way.
“It felt good to see a well known actor take interest in my story and share it with his fans.”
Born to parents of average height, Phil and his younger brother, James have the same condition, which is a disorder of cartilage and bone development.
Phil’s guest blog post on the Scope website states: “I have experienced many odd situations in life – from awkward moments to somewhat embarrassing ones... Once I was going out on a dinner date, and the waitress asked my date if I needed a high chair before we got to our table. Needless to say, I do not.
“As you can imagine, this was an embarrassing situation for me and my date – but also for our waitress, who felt really bad and apologised. I didn’t take any offence though, in fact I had a giggle about it afterwards.”
Phil said people often speak to a friend or family member, rather than directly to him. Mentally Infirm residents at Cartrefle which is owned by Embrace Group. HusbandHusban Maciej is a senior team leader in the sames home. “Sh “She said: “Best of all I love making ca cakes, some for sp special o occasions, and p puddings.”
Manager Sa Sandra Peacock des described Karo Karolina’s work as “fantas “fantastic”. e Mario K Kreft MBE, chair of Care Forum Wales, said the awards are the “Oscars of social care.”
He added: “We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be applauded.”
“For example, someone might ask: ‘Does he want a drink?’ I am quite capable of speaking for myself without any trouble,” he adds.
Phil said: “I think the best way to tackle these awkward moments is to be mature about it – explain and educate those who don’t quite know what to do.”