Etta was ambivalent at best about getting her hair done this morning. I decided we needed to push through her insecurity about it today and get it done anyway. We took a walk first. She always clarifies that she isn't going to really walk if we go for a walk. Even when I help her transfer from her wheelchair to the bed or her recliner, she is quick to tell me that she can walk but that she ASKED for the wheelchair because it is "so convenient when running all around." I, of course, just agree...
When it was time to go to the beauty shop, Etta was clearly upset. She told me, "I'm not mad at you or anything, but I don't want to get my hair done, not today." This is SO UNLIKE her as Etta loves anything to do with hair, make up and jewelry...(and it clicks...must be where I got it from). I reminded her of how much she enjoyed it before...and then I tried to get into her mind. What could she possibly be worried about? I told her, "you know, Etta, getting your hair done here is really great because you don't have to pay a dime for it!" Ok, kind of, sort of true! I mean, I write the checks...To this, she was so happy. "Really? I don't have to pay today? What about tipping?"
...And like a light switch, I remembered our conversations of hair days gone by and pulled out my script...."I will stay with you...I will take you back to your room....You don't have to pay a thing...you aren't permitted to tip...I will transfer you to the sink chair and the dryer....I will ask her to make sure the water isn't too hot or cold...I will hold the towel up by your head so it won't run into your hair...Yes, James knows you are getting your hair done and he is ok....
I captured a couple of quick videos on my cell...Etta didn't know that I was recording her....she talks about how surprised James will be to see her and whether or not he will recognize her...
When it was time to go to the beauty shop, Etta was clearly upset. She told me, "I'm not mad at you or anything, but I don't want to get my hair done, not today." This is SO UNLIKE her as Etta loves anything to do with hair, make up and jewelry...(and it clicks...must be where I got it from). I reminded her of how much she enjoyed it before...and then I tried to get into her mind. What could she possibly be worried about? I told her, "you know, Etta, getting your hair done here is really great because you don't have to pay a dime for it!" Ok, kind of, sort of true! I mean, I write the checks...To this, she was so happy. "Really? I don't have to pay today? What about tipping?"
...And like a light switch, I remembered our conversations of hair days gone by and pulled out my script...."I will stay with you...I will take you back to your room....You don't have to pay a thing...you aren't permitted to tip...I will transfer you to the sink chair and the dryer....I will ask her to make sure the water isn't too hot or cold...I will hold the towel up by your head so it won't run into your hair...Yes, James knows you are getting your hair done and he is ok....
I captured a couple of quick videos on my cell...Etta didn't know that I was recording her....she talks about how surprised James will be to see her and whether or not he will recognize her...