This barber tried for years to cut an autistic boys hair. Then they had a breakthrough.

[Demovictory9]

The first time 10-year-old Jordie Rowland came into the barber shop it was a “disaster,” barber Lisa Ann McKenzie said.

***

McKenzie ended up walking around the barber shop with Jordie that day two years ago, even lying on the floor with him. She got in a few snips but stopped the haircut when she saw that Jordie was agitated.

After the first unsuccessful haircut, she suggested to Jordie’s parents that they bring him back every two weeks at closing time, often at no charge. That went on for a few months.

***

Then the owner of the barber shop chastised McKenzie for allowing a customer to come in after closing time. Frustrated, she left that job, and soon after opened her own shop, the Celtic Barber Rothwell Central.

Every two weeks, Jordie would come by McKenzie’s shop after it was closed, and the music was turned down. This lasted about eight months.

Then, a few weeks ago, they had a breakthrough. She sang “The Wheels on the Bus” to him.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2018/03/19/this-barber-tried-for-years-to-cut-an-autistic-boys-hair-then-they-had-a-breakthrough/?utm_term=.21ba95aeeb8e

Now she has many special needs customers.

[justhanginon]

1. There are some truly beautiful people in this world.

Lisa Ann McKenzie is one of them. Kudos to her.

[workinclasszero]

2. That was great

[LAS14]

3. Does anyone have a link to this story that doesn't cost $1?

I know that sometimes the same story shows up in another paper. I understand that respectable news organizations need to make money, but we subscribe to the NYT and the Boston Globe so I avoid the Post for the most part.

[NCTraveler]

5. .

https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/hairdresser-goes-extra-mile-boy-12178285

[LAS14]

7. Thanks much!

[lame54]

4. Quit your job and start your own business...

How do people do it
That escapes me

[grantcart]

6. She was probably self employed and renting the chair before she went out

and rented her own space under her own name.

[Grammy23]

8. How I wish we had more stories like this!

In your face, tRump, since we already know how you feel about people who are “different”.

Good for this special lady! She deserves many accolades for the attention she brought to the issue and her willingness to try to find a solution to the problem. Perhaps she will inspire others to go the extra mile in helping these special needs kids and their families.

[Lifelong Protester]

9. Wow!!

[BadGimp]

10. thx for posting this story!

[world wide wally]

11. I was substituting in a sped class with several autistic kids.

The funny thing about this story was that they loved a video based on "Wheels on the Bus".
There is something magical about that song and autistic children.