Harvesting of the Hair
Saturday, August 23rd, 2008
by Terry
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Well after almost two years of growing out my hair the time had come to donate it. Locks of Love will take almost any hair to help provide hairpieces to children that are balding because of medical treatments. All my life I have had short hair. Three inches long was I think the longest I had ever let it grow. To tell the truth I had the same hair cut for well over thirty years. When I heard about the Locks of Love program I toyed with the idea of growing it out to donate. Two years later and several tormented moments of me with the clippers in my hand debating shaving it all off some child will be able to go out in public and not feel awkward. Hair is a funny thing, it is interesting that people who have no hair feel embarrassed while males with long hair sometimes feel looked down upon. I know that towards the end of this experiment I began to get looks from people that gave me the feeling they were putting me automatically into a stereotype of the long haired hippie. Am I going to do it again? You bet, it is such a small sacrifice that I can make to help these children. Having grown out my hair and felt the eyes upon me I think I can now relate to them and have a bit more empathy for their situation in public circles.
7 Comments
Melissa Maples
August 23rd, 2008
at 10:41pm
!!! Wow, it really had gotten long.
Congratulations on your donation… I can’t imagine how difficult it must be (especially for little girls) to go out without hair. Are you growing it out again immediately?
Terry
August 24th, 2008
at 8:11am
Yes I am. My son would like to donate now as well. I am not so sure I am going to let him at age 6. Not sure what I am hesitant about that. Possibly the nasty looks I got from some people and the pressure I received from my father to cut my hair. The last thing he needs is grandpa telling him he looks like a girl and to cut his hair. Maybe at 10 when he can defend himself.
Melissa Maples
August 24th, 2008
at 10:00am
Hmmm, that’s an interesting dilemma. I say let him try it. Worst case scenario, if he does get crap about it, you can cut it then. At that age, I was oblivious to people’s dirty looks about whatever. Also, I think there’s a stigma attached to a grown man having long hair, that a kid might not be subject to.
I think if your son wants to do something so wonderful, it would be a shame to have him feel like he can’t do those things because of societal pressure. If you feed him a line to memorise (”I’m doing it so that kids with cancer can have hair”), I bet that would shut 95% of people up. And as for the other 5%… kids are pretty strong. Maybe explain to grandpa ahead of time if that’s the one person you’re most concerned about… ?
Terry
August 25th, 2008
at 6:46am
After some debate Carrie and I have decided to let him go for it. If he feels the need to cut it half way through so be it. It was a great learning experience for me and the possibility for him to get something out of it should out weight any emotional damage (I am going to try and convince Grandpa that there is not harm in it). I will fill you all in on his progress as the time passes. His hair does not grow as fast as mine.
Melissa Maples
August 25th, 2008
at 7:45am
Awesome! Can’t wait to see the photo updates.
Elbeano
August 25th, 2008
at 6:10pm
Well I have to say that is a very cool endeavor. Both Kylie and Harley do it. They told me it would be understandable that I do not do that, “The world would not be the same” Harley Bean.
Are you shaven to the skull? Quick get the make up and be Uncle Fister.
Terry
August 25th, 2008
at 6:17pm
Not quite shaven skull, or even close to Uncle Fester. More like the GI-Joe 1974-78 Action Team. If I had the beard and the way cool scar on my cheek. I do have the Kung-Fu grip though. Head start on this years Halloween costume I guess.