Cutting Through Barriers
How One Young Man Found Confidence
at Sideburns Stadium Cuts
By Charles Romans
The Ashland Beacon
Like any devoted mother, Karen Reed worried about the future of her children. But for her son, Aaron Reed, born with autism and other learning disabilities, those concerns were magnified. Yet, like so many mothers, Karen Reed refused to give up on her child. With love, patience, and perseverance, her family weathered the tough times when Aaron was non-verbal and faced daily struggles. Over the years, Karen noticed Aaron slowly “mellowing out,” and she began exploring educational options that might offer him a better future.
“He ended up at Open Door School in Cole Grove, Ohio, which is a school for children with developmental disabilities,” Reed explained. During his time there, Aaron's progress was supported through lessons in life skills, and the school took him on various field trips. “One of the things he did was go to Kroger and collect food for their food pantry,” Reed recalled. “They would also take him to stores, where he would greet customers or help bag groceries.”
It was an experience that proved to be beneficial not only for Aaron but also for Karen. Still, she had concerns about how her son would handle the demands of public interaction.
When Aaron graduated at the age of twenty last May, Karen continued to seek ways to help him transition to adulthood. “In Ohio, we have a program called Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. We enrolled Aaron in it, and they began helping us look for potential job placements,” she said. While the program initially focused on larger retail environments, such as "big box" stores, Karen felt anxious about Aaron working in such busy, high-pressure settings. “If they had him out collecting carts or doing something like that, I’d worry,” she admitted. “He’d do better in a smaller, more manageable work environment.”
Determined to find the right fit, Karen took to Facebook, reaching out to her network of business owners and managers to see if anyone would be willing to give Aaron a chance. “I posted that Aaron was looking for work, and I mentioned that a job coach from the Ohio program would be helping him, at least in the beginning,” she said.
The response was quick. Diamond Lewis, owner of Sideburns Stadium Cuts in Russell, Kentucky, reached out almost immediately. “I gave Aaron’s caseworker Diamond’s information,” Karen said. “And within no time, Diamond agreed to meet Aaron and offered him a job. Aaron went in to meet everyone, and I went with him on his first day. The staff was so welcoming, and it was clear this would be a good fit.”
At Sideburns Stadium Cuts, Aaron’s responsibilities include cleaning and sweeping after each client, as well as restocking supplies. “Now, he’s doing great,” Karen beamed. “And he’s so proud of himself. He’s excited to earn his first paycheck and finally be able to buy something with the money he’s earned.” For Aaron, the first item on his shopping list will likely be DVDs—he’s an avid fan of superhero movies, especially Batman.
For Diamond Lewis, hiring Aaron has been an enriching experience. “It’s a blessing,” he said of his new employee. “One of my goals with this business has always been to give back to the community, especially to young people. If I can help change someone’s life, even just a little, it’s an easy decision.”
Lewis sees Aaron as a valuable addition to his team, and he’s confident that the impact will be mutual. “We are going to learn more from him than he will learn from us,” Lewis reflected. “Because life is about differences—and how everyone’s differences can make us all better.”
In the end, Aaron Reed has found his place in the world, a place where his abilities are celebrated, and his potential is recognized. It’s a reminder that every individual, regardless of their challenges, deserves the opportunity to contribute, to feel valued, and to experience the joy that comes from meaningful work.
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