Antonia Sinibaldi, a New Jersey singer-songwriter, says a 29th birthday dinner with family and friends at a waterfront restaurant in Weehawken took a painful turn when her dessert arrived with the words “Happy Birthday Wheelchair” on the plate. The source article also includes a photo credited to Instagram showing a plate that reads “Happy Wheel Chair Birthday.”
What Sinibaldi says happened
Sinibaldi, who uses a motorized wheelchair and says she was paralyzed from the neck down after a drunk-driving crash at age 2, described being shocked by the inscription. According to her account in the source article, the moment triggered trembling and spasms. She says she spoke with management and was offered complimentary drinks, which she felt fell short of the immediate apology she expected.
What the restaurant says
According to the source article, the restaurant issued a public statement saying “wheelchair” was entered internally as a location identifier so staff would know where to deliver the dessert and candle, and that the word was mistakenly transferred onto the plate. Management said there was no intent to mock or disrespect Sinibaldi, acknowledged the display could be hurtful, and said procedures around communication and ticketing are being reviewed. Representatives also said efforts have been made to contact Sinibaldi, per the same source.
Online reaction, per the source
The source article characterizes the broader response as “outrage” online after Sinibaldi shared her experience. Commenters reportedly questioned how an internal note ended up on a customer’s plate and called the incident insensitive.
Aftermath
Despite the apology and explanation, Sinibaldi says the experience left a lasting impression and she does not intend to return, according to the source.
Source attribution: Details above are drawn from the supplied source summary citing the Daily Mail and a photo credited to Instagram.
