Special Needs Mom Shares Touching Story of Hairdresser's Simple Gesture
In a Facebook post shared with The Mighty, Laura Connerton expressed her gratitude towards Supercuts hairstylist Julia Werder, who’s been working with Connerton’s children for the past six months in Philadelphia. Connerton’s 11-year-old twins Liam and Mady LeNoir have a rare genetic disorder called Pitt Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), as well as autism, and haircuts have been especially challenging for them.
That is, until Werder came along. Connerton shared a photo of Werder sitting on the floor while cutting Mady’s hair and explained that Werder’s patience and understanding has “made a world of difference” for the family. Connerton said Werder has cut Liam’s hair while standing by the front windows of the salon so he can see the cars outside, something that brings him comfort.
“It may not seem like a grand gesture to others, but it’s a huge moment for families of children with disabilities or different abilities,” Connerton said. “It’s the little things in life that make all the difference to our special needs loved ones.”
Werder says the accommodations are a no brainer. “At my salon we try to accommodate all of our guests, so there’s no difference in doing something for someone who has a disability,” she told The Mighty. “I also saw how much anxiety Laura had when she brought her kids in, so we wanted to help make things better for her too. If there’s a way I can make things more comfortable for everyone, I’m more than willing to do it.”
“I just want people to realize that others in this world do see the bigger picture that all are equal,” Connerton added. She hopes sharing this story will inspire changes in the haircutting industry.
Read Connerton’s Facebook post in its entirety:
This is Julia “Jules” Werder, a stylist at a local Super Cuts in Philadelphia, Pa. She is an exceptional human being. She needs the world to know she is a beautiful soul inside and out for what she has done for my family. A simple gesture of a welcoming attitude of acceptance, where others often can not understand. She simply came into their world. It may not seem like a grand gesture to others, but, it’s a huge moment for families of children with disabilities or different abilities. When stressers of every day “typical” life’s routine are changed. Something as simple a cutting my daughter’s hair on the salon floor, may seem insignificant to many, but made a world of difference to us. She even cut my son’s hair standing by the front windows of the salon, because he loves cars so much. It’s the little things in life that make all the difference to our special needs loved ones. Thank you Jules for recognizing that difference.