Friday was a big day for one of my hubby's students. This 13 year old boy has down syndrome and never has had a regular hair cut. He didn't like anyone touching him and his mom had to resort to cutting his hair while he slept, when necessary. As part of public special education life skills are tied into math, English, science, and history lessons...trying to assimilate the kids into a normal classroom despite many not likely to graduate high school and more importantly adapting school lessons into life lessons that will give them more independence, it's not an easy task with a classroom full of special needs kids.
This boy had a fascination recently with barber shops so it was incorporated into his daily lessons like making posters for English about barbers, downloading photos for computer skills, etc. He liked the old time barber handle bar mustaches.
My hubby decided to take the risk and take him down to a real barber...actually the local Super Cut store about a mile from school as part of a school lesson. My hubby got permission from mom but she was certain he would not even consider an actual hair cut. But for whatever reason, this day, he was ready. Was it his male teacher and friend that went with him, a manly bonding experience? Was it all the preparation of talking about barbers? Who knows, but this day he was ready to be brave and lucky to have all the right supporters in his corner for the experience.
The hair stylist was a champ, chatting it up with him and even taking the time with the styling gel, teaching him to create a wave in his hair and giving him the chance to practice doing it himself. He had a pediatric dentist in the chair getting a hair cut next to him, cheering him on and enjoying this big step in his life. Mom was delightfully surprised that her little boy had done a pretty grown up thing that day and grateful for a teacher that works so hard to help the kids accomplish their goals.
We rarely recognize true bravery in others, it is often such a personal moment of triumph that it looks like nothing to the outside world. If we are lucky we are close enough to someone who lets us in on those personal moments of pure bravery against their own struggles or weaknesses. Even though I don't know this student of my husband's, I feel lucky to hear his story and share in his triumph. I'm grateful when I can share with someone close my own brave moments and that they can cheer me on recognize what a big moment it is for me. Unfortunately, often, we are being brave all on our own...and that's the bravest of all!
My favorite song on being brave:
