MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A terrible loss is serving as an inspiration to do good for a Manatee County man. When Santiago Cardona’s mother Rosario died of cancer, he decided to cut the hair of disabled people to keep her memory alive.

On a recent Monday morning, Cardona was spending part of his day off cutting Rebekah (Becky) Mejia’s hair at the otherwise empty Plush Hair Studio.

“We are just cleaning her hair up a little bit. Just making more pretty,” said Cardona as he cut Mejia’s hair. Mejia was left severely disabled by a car accident. She can’t speak.

Cardona believes the experience of losing his mother to cancer has made him more aware of the trials that people face. “Seeing my mom go through chemotherapy and everything gives me that extra understanding and compassion,” he said.

Mejia’s family came to the Plush Hair Studio to show support as Cardona cut her hair.

“The family is so supportive and loving and dedicated to her. And that reminds me so much of the bond I had with my mom,” he said.

Dad, Ronald Brown, said the family decided to pick Cardona to cut Mejia’s hair after an overwhelming response on a local Facebook page asking for recommendations.

“She’s always laughing, happy when he’s around. He looks forward to seeing her,” said Brown.

After cutting Mejia’s hair, Cardona presented her with a bouquet of flowers.  

Then he drove for about ten minutes to go to Tina Frerichs’ home. She is unable to move or speak because of ALS. “How are you, Miss Tina?” said Cardona as Frerichs was wheeled into the front room of her home.

As Cardona styled Frerichs’ hair, she was able to communicate by fixing her eyes on the letters of an electronic keyboard on a computer monitor. Frerichs wanted to let Cardona how happy she was that he was there.

“You make my day,” the computer said

Over the Christmas holiday, Cardona dressed as an elf and paid a visit to Frerichs and her friend Nichole.

“You make my Christmas special for Nichole too,” said the computer.