The Hairdresser

While I have Cerebral Palsy and life presents many physical challenges, on a intellectual level I enjoy many types of intellectual pursuits, such as writing.  However many people I meet in passing on my  journey through life, sadly only choose to look at my gift wrapping.  One of my daily challenges is to choose to forgive and educate those who fail to look beyond my tatted gift wrapping.

This week I had an encounter with a new hairdresser, who relucantly untied the bow, that held my gift wrapping together.  I sat patiently in my wheelchair, waiting for the lady behind the counter.  For what seemed too long a time considering there were no other customers.  Eventually the hairdresser looked up and I asked, 'if anyone could cut my hair before 11 o'clock`,  I was quite happy to wait. However she immediately ushered me in as my support worker weaved my chair through the salon.  At this time she had not introduced herself, nor indicated she would be the one cutting my hair. She asked my support person if I could walk.  'Yes' my support worker answered abruptly.

I then walked to the chair at the basin and sat so the hairdresser could wash my hair. I asked my worker to put my chair somewhere out the way, for obvious safety reasons. The hairdresser butted in, 'she will be sitting there in that seat. If you want to sit with her.' it was not a question.

My support worker at this stage was less than impressed. She turn round and said 'this is Debbie.', before wheeling my empty wheelchair to where the hairdresser had bluntly instructed her to place it, sat in my wheelchair pick up one of those trashy gossip magazine and refused to engage in any further interaction with the hairdresser and only occasionally with myself.

The hairdresser was now forced to communicate with me directly, and thus discovered quickly I could clearly communicate the style and how I expected my hair to be cut!!

Observing how people view and unwrap my tatted wrapping is always interesting. I am thankful most people either do not see my tatted wrapping or choose to enjoy unwrapping the tatted paper. Sadly some people's perceptions are sometimes tainted by where and when we have an encounter.  People's reactions appear to be different depending on whether I am walking, being pushed in a manual wheelchair, or using my power wheelchair, whether I am accompanied or on my own.

I must confess I am equally guilty of being aware of the gift wrapping of others and making assumptions. However I like to think I am improving now, that I am using my wheelchair more regularly and in general people's preceptions and unwillingness to untie the bow to release the wrapping paper, has become increasingly stalled, as frequently commented on by my friends.

My prayer is we embrace our experiences of unwrapping the gifts people present and learn to view each others gift wrapping in an appropriate manner.