By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Hairdresser refuses to shave the matted hair off of this depressed teens head
027c7e1c04c3e11d9b3076da11eeb72981c30eb69b422596a15bf42b9584d13a
The reason why she wouldn't follow her client's request (and the transformation) is simply inspiring. - photo by Lindsey Miller
Kayley Olsson is a hairdresser in Iowa, who recently had a Facebook post that went viral, all because she refused to follow the instructions of her client.

Olsson started the post by saying this young client was one of the most difficult shes ever worked on. Olsson stayed at the hair salon for eight hours one day and five hours the next day to repair the badly damaged hair of a sweet girl with severe depression.

I had a 16-year-old girl come in who has been dealing with severe depression for a few years now. She got to the point where she felt so down and so worthless she couldnt even brush her hair, she told me she only got up to use the restroom.

Olsson explained that the teenager went to the hairdresser because she was having school pictures that week, and she couldnt deal with the pain of brushing her hair out. By request, the girl's identity is anonymous, but Olsson made a huge difference in her life.

According to the Facebook post, When she walked in [the salon] she told us just cut it all off ... 'I cant deal with the pain of combing it out.'" She then went on to tell Olsson she felt worthless because of it.

Those words broke Olssons heart. She refused to cut all this girls hair off, and instead dedicated her time to making sure this girl left the salon with confidence and great hair.

Olsson told BBC, It took a lot of encouraging words, reassurance and just plain conversation to take her mind off of the pain involved in removing the matting and to boost her self-esteem and confidence.

Olsson said, Her last words to me were, I will actually smile for my schools pictures today, you made me feel like me again.'

The compassionate hairdresser ended her post by saying, MENTAL HEALTH is a thing, it affects people all around the world and of all ages! PARENTS take it serious [sic] dont just push your kids off and tell them to get over something they legitimately cant. A CHILD should NEVER feel so worthless to not even want to brush their hair.

Olssons heartfelt post received over 77,000 shares and thousands of comments from people who are facing other serious mental health problems.

The hairdresser also received many words of support and thanks from thousands of strangers. If youre struggling with depression or any other mental health conditions, remember that youre so loved and youre so important. And most importantly, youre worth more than youll ever know.
Sign up for our E-Newsletters
Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
638421_Screenshot_1.png
Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
Latest Obituaries