‘Jacob’s Haircuts’

Doing routine things can be very difficult or take years to accomplish. For example, Jacob was not able to use the bathroom by himself until he was 12 years old. It took years of small successes to teach him the meaning of the sensation of a full bladder. Simple visits to the dentist, or grocery store were often major events or impossible.

Getting a haircut was not an easy task either. Jacob was more than restless, he was impossible. Many barbers would give up quickly and look at Patti or me with an expression of, “I didn’t sign up for this.” We visited many barbers. Kirby was different. Buck’s Barbershop is a small barber shop on Main St. Lexington, where Kirby worked patiently with Jacob each time Jacob came in for a haircut. Our first victory was when Jacob sat in the chair for 15 seconds. After a year, Kirby’s patience won out and Jacob sat for a full haircut.

At the end of each haircut, Jacob was rewarded with a tootsie pop from a box next to Kirby’s station. Kirby understood that we must struggle with many of our routines and would never take payment for the haircut no matter how many times we offered. One day, when Kirby finished, we tried to pay and Kirby politely refused again. I told him we were teaching Jacob about money and it was the end of his haircut training. Kirby gently smiled and accepted payment.

Now, Jacob looks at Patti or me and says, “Haircut” and we head off to Buck’s. He will head to their bathroom first and then wait patiently in the chairs until it his turn. Kodi, Jill, Cindy, and Kirby are always joyful and smile when Jacob asks them, “What’s your name?” When he is finished, he grabs a tootsie pop from the box.

A salute to our hometown heroes who gently provide hope and patience into our otherwise tumultuous routines.

#30DaysofAutism #JacobsWorld #JacobsParents #AprilAutismAwarenessMonth #Iwouldntchangeanything

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