In my words…
(This blog was written by Colleen Hahn, Public Relations for The Medical Foundation and Coordinator of the Healthy Me! Program)
I’m not sure why Reactions Hair Studio chose that particular
name, and I didn’t ask the owner, Chris, when I was there today. But I have a
feeling it has something to do with the way people feel when the styling is
done. (This blog was written by Colleen Hahn, Public Relations for The Medical Foundation and Coordinator of the Healthy Me! Program)
Owner Chris, JJ, Lori and Kimmie volunteered to give up part
of their day off Monday to help Healthy Me! Program participants feel a bit
more confident about themselves.
Several months ago, Lori and Chris contacted me, offering to
provide makeovers for the participants in the program. I figured that about
half way through the program, they might need a little motivation and this just
might be the thing. I was excited to be able to offer this to our participants.
I wasn’t sure how the men in the program would feel, but Bob and Bret decided they would participate.
“Although this is not really my gig, I am letting my short hair grow out to be medium length hair to let them do their thing. Can they make me look like Brad Pitt or Pierce Brosnan?” Bob joked.
JJ worked his magic and had Bret and Bob looking dapper
before the end of the afternoon.
Deborah and Joni were next in line for their new looks.
Deborah, fond of her long locks, opted for some highlights but kept the length about
the same. Kimmie put some finishing
touches on Deborah’s make-up and Chris cut and styled her hair to frame her
face. It was an amazing touch for Deborah, as she has worked extremely hard in
the program, shedding nearly 40 pounds since the beginning of April.
As Joni walked into the studio, I could easily tell that her
weekend of work at Nedderman’s mobile unit at the Niles Apples Fest had taken
its toll on her and she might rather opt for a few hours on the couch. But it
wasn’t long before Lori worked her magic, picking out swatches of color and
highlights and giving Joni and I a small vision of what she could see as the
end product.
Before long, Lori was putting the finishing touches on Joni’s
hair, making sure each piece was in the right spot, spraying endless amounts of
hairspray to keep it perfect until she was able to show her six daughters and
her husband. I think it was worth the wait, as she was grinning from ear to ear
as the staff and I quickly labeled her as, “sassy.”
As the coordinator of the Healthy Me! Program, it has been a
very interesting five months with the participants. It seems as though they are
reaching so many milestones, each important such as achieving better lab
results from the first baseline tests that were offered. I’ve felt their
sadness or their success in the moments when they weigh in. They’ve become more
accustomed to working out on a regular basis and are making healthier
decisions.
Each participant has experienced struggles and each has
experienced successes throughout this project. Deborah, Bob, Bret and Joni
opted in for the makeovers and I think each of them left a little more
confident than when they walked through the door. Thank you Reactions (JJ, Kimmie,
Lori and Chris) for opening your studio to our Healthy Me! Participants and for
producing great reactions!
For more pictures of the Healthy Me! Makeovers visit our facebook page here.