It’s a godsend for parents when they can take their kids who have specific needs somewhere they won’t be judged. Parenting a child with disabilities or neurodivergence is hard enough without dealing with the stares, judgment and misunderstandings that can happen in public places.
Haircuts can be especially stressful for children with sensory issues and their parents.
Vernon Jackson, barber and owner of Noble Barber and Beauty salon in Cincinnati, Ohio, understands these families’ unique needs. So he opens up his shop one day a month for what he calls “The Gifted Event,” where he welcomes them for a free haircut.
The most common medical conditions he sees are autism, Down syndrome and spina bifida.
Jackson told Today there are a few things that these children worry about in the barber’s chair. Specifically, many don’t like the sound of the clippers and the feeling of hair falling on their skin. “One child told me it feels like needles,” he told Today.
The barber’s sweet approach while giving a haircut to Ellison, a child with Down syndrome, went viral on TikTok, earning over 3 million views. It’s touching because Ellison is all smiles and loves having some control over the stressful situation by telling Jackson when to “stop” and “start” with the clippers.
@thebest1period Everyone here’s the video without the music! Idk what tik tok did🤦🏾♂️ but please consider donating! All of my cuts for my gifted clients are paid for by donations 🙏🏽
The viral video shows what can happen when a barber has the time to focus on the child as an individual and create an atmosphere where they are comfortable.
“Every child is different and I need to be present with them and meet them in the moment,” Jackson told Today. For Julie Eubanks, Ellison’s mother, who took the heartwarming video, being able to have Jackson cut his hair is a huge relief.
“I’m always in the state of anticipating the worst because you never know with these types of situations with Ellison, or with any kid with special needs, they can turn with a blink of the eye,” Eubanks told WLWT. “I was trying to enjoy it and record and peaking my head out of the side of my phone to be like, ‘Is this really going on?'”
The commenters on TikTok thought the video was adorable.
“Thank you for having such a kind soul with these precious children that just need a little extra attention in a different way! This is awesome,” Jackie Griggs wrote. “Hard to tell who had more fun here. This is great!” Carrie Deal added.
Jackson has set up a GoFundMe where people can donate free haircuts to children with disabilities and he’s received over $17,000 in donations.
“As a barber, I saw the need for a place where children with disabilities are supported during a haircut and an environment where parents or caregivers don’t have to explain their child’s behavior or apologize for something they may do or say,” Jackson wrote on the GoFundMe page.
It’s incredible that Jackson sets aside time every month so that his business can focus on those who need a little extra love and attention. It’s a beautiful gift to these children and their parents and a wonderful example to share with the rest of the business community.