Mom surprises blind son with a secret braille message he can feel

When Karissa Livia sat down for her latest manicure, she wasn’t just thinking about a bold new design—she was planning a heartfelt surprise for her 15-year-old son, Shay. Shay, who is visually impaired, had previously enjoyed hearing his mom describe her nail colors. But this time, Karissa wanted to take it a step further.

The result? A manicure featuring a message in braille, spelled out with tiny rhinestones that Shay could feel. And the message? “Love U, Shay.”

“I’m always trying to find ways to make him feel included in the world,” Karissa told People in an exclusive interview. After followers suggested incorporating braille into her nails in response to an earlier TikTok, Karissa brought the idea to her nail technician. Though the tech had never created braille nails before, she was up for the challenge, using rhinestones to craft the tactile design.

The big reveal was captured in a now-viral TikTok video with over 21.1 million views and nearly 7,000 comments. Shay’s immediate reaction melted hearts across the platform. Running his fingers over the dots, he exclaimed, “You got braille on your nails? Ouuu! Hype, baby, hype,” before breaking into a huge smile.

A Message of Inclusion and Love

For Karissa, it’s not just about the braille—it’s about showing Shay that he’s seen and loved in a world that doesn’t always prioritize accessibility. “Regardless of how he interprets something, I still think it’s important to describe things to him,” she said. Shay associates colors with feelings and memories, which adds a deeper layer to how he experiences the world.

Karissa’s approach to parenting and inclusion doesn’t stop at creative manicures. In another video, she demonstrates how Shay navigates modern technology as a blind person. Using screen readers and accessibility features, Shay showcases how he uses his phone with impressive skill. It's just one of many examples of how Karissa encourages her son to thrive in a sighted world.

The TikTok comments reflect the profound impact of Karissa’s videos. User @Puddingdog2018 wrote, “This is the gentle parenting that works,” while @CrazyCarChik added, “Imagine growing up with a love like this.” Even Shay’s misstep while reading the message turned into a sweet moment. At first, he mistook the “U” in “Love U” for an “H” due to their similar braille structure, prompting laughter and love from commenters. As Karissa explained, “He read U incorrectly as H since there’s only one dot difference between the letters, but he caught it quickly.”

A Viral Moment, A Lasting Impact

For Karissa, these small acts of love are about more than just a viral moment. “I want to make sure that I do everything I can to help him thrive and be the best that he can be,” she said. TikTok users like @Dudesprettycool couldn’t agree more: “Your boy is your biggest fan, and I’m here for that. You’re lucky to have him.”

Karissa hopes her story inspires others to find creative ways to connect with their loved ones. As Shay might say, it’s all about the hype.

You can check out Karissa's other TikToks here.