Two women mocked her appearance on an IKEA escalator — but her three-word reply before leaving left them shocked
Many people have faced hurtful comments from strangers who know nothing about what they are going through. An ordinary trip to IKEA turned into an emotional reminder for one woman that strangers should think twice before judging someone's appearance. Instagram user Laura Hughes, who goes by @lalahughes21, shared how a shopping trip with her 5-year-old son took an unexpected turn. She overheard two women mocking her weight, skin, and hair and decided to respond with a few simple but powerful words. Laura posted the video on Sunday, July 12, 2026, revealing how her brief response instantly made the two women realize what they had overlooked.
Hughes explained that the women started body-shaming her weight, the psoriasis on her legs, and even her hair as they rode the escalator behind her. Instead of confronting them immediately, she waited until they reached the bottom before turning around and simply saying, "Cancer did this." Holding her son's hand, she walked away, leaving the women stunned.
Hughes later explained that she wasn't upset because the comments were true. She knew she had gained weight and was fully aware of the psoriasis on her legs. Her hair, however, carried a much deeper meaning. A hairdresser for 28 years, Hughes said she had asked her husband and their three children to shave her head before starting chemotherapy because she knew she would lose her hair. Since then, she had watched every curl slowly grow back, admitting she was still learning how to style it after treatment.
Hughes said she wasn't sharing the experience to make people feel sorry for her. Instead, she hoped it would remind others to think twice before commenting on someone's looks. As she put it, "You never know what they're carrying." She added that people may be doing their best to put themselves back together, even if it isn't obvious to those around them.
In the comments, many viewers praised Hughes for the way she handled the situation. @geraldine.king2 commented, "Well done, you. Would love to have seen their faces when you spoke to them. Hair looks great, by the way." Another user, @maryhorganhobbs, wrote, "Oh my god! What the hell is wrong with people?" Meanwhile, @deedohertyinsta added, "People are thick! Well done for not punching the head off them!"
Hughes' experience with cancer-related bullying isn't rare. In another instance, a 12-year-old Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel was mocked by a group of teenagers at a gas station while wearing his honorary police uniform. Rather than reacting in frustration, the cancer survivor shared his story and explained why the uniform meant so much to him. After learning about his battle with terminal cancer and his dream of becoming a police officer, the teenagers apologized and even began addressing him as "Officer DJ" before leaving.
For more stories, you can follow @lalahughes21 on Instagram.
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