Wet Shaving Helped My Autistic Nephew

I wasn't sure where to put this story but since it relates to my safety razor so I thought this would be the best spot.

I've been wet shaving for about a year now and I've experimented with safety and straight razors. I love my straight razors but I've found that I only use them on weekends or times when I have to really enjoy my shave and this time of year when I travel I use my safety razor more. As I've gotten better at using it and am now cut free, I started thinking about ways it could benefit my 20-year old nephew who has Autism. He cannot shave himself and it often falls on me or my father to do the task. My nephew always hated the task because of the tugging and the pulling on his face, but he hated having hair on his face. If anyone has ever had experience with autistic children, you know how particular they can be about things and how they need things in order.

I approached my nephew's mother and my mother about attempting to use a safety razor on him because I thought it might cut down on the number of times a week he would need shaving and I knew it was a much less painful experience overall. After some convincing they both agreed to let me have a go at it.

I began by letting my nephew inspect my Edwin Jagger DE89 (w/o a blade) and after it met his approval we talked about the process of making lather. I decided to use my RazoRock XXX for a few reasons. The first was that it is a pretty neutral scent and I didn't want to deter him with smells he may not have liked or something that was totally different from the stuff in the can he had been used to. The second reason was that I knew it would give a great shave for him. We talked about how to make lather and he watched me as I loaded the brush and then made lather in the bowl (face lathering would not be an option for him as things like that on his face would not go over well). After making the lather I squeezed it out of the brush and applied to his face like you would normal canned goo and I began to shave him.

The process went great and he did not complain or move his head any from the tugging or pulling because there was none. We've been on this regiment for about three months now and I'm happy report that we are still going strong. We've not ventured out to any other soaps and I don't figure that we will, but shaving is now something that he looks forward too. He has begun to help make his own lather (although getting it on his hands sometimes is an issue but we are getting there) and I personally enjoy our time together we have in the whole process. We also shave less, about 1-2 times a week as needed, but overall it has been a good thing for him and our family.

I say all this to say thank you to everyone here. When I first got interested in wet shaving I knew nothing other than you could cut your face off with a sharp, knife-like object. Okay it wasn't that bad but I really didn't know much and I obviously still learn everyday, but through this forum and all the youtube videos and advice I couldn't have imagined that this hobby would turn into something that would allow an autistic member of my family to also enjoy the shaving process.

So once again, thanks to everyone over the past year and half for everything. The impact wet shaving has had on my family is bigger than most and we are grateful for it.

You sir, are to be commended many times over. Your insight into your nephew's mind and habits guided you to a positive solution. Special needs humans are to be cherished and loved, which you have shown. But you also helped him to live a life a little more stress free. Autism and other similar disorders can styme development big time. I watch one of my son's and his wife deal with my granddaughter's epilepsy of such depth that she is years behind in her development and will need protection her entire life.

Have you thought of contacting a national Autism group with how you have helped your nephew? It could be an approach they could utilize in their dealings with autistic adult males.

Again, kudos for an excellent solution to the problem.

One of the best stories on this forum and I have spent A LOT of hours reading this forum. While I am glad all these folks helped you, take a good look in the mirror at yourself. You did this and you deserve a hand shake and a thank you from all of the forum members for what you have done in helping a young man enjoy himself a bit more.

Thanks for sharing this inspiring life lesson, that sometimes the simplest things can have the biggest impacts.
Great to hear life is at least a little bit easier for the lad, I applaud your foresight and effort to make this happen.
And you get the bonus if some mutually befinficial quality time together.
:angel:
Job well done Sir, job well done.

Well done, Sir. That is a win | win for the both of you. Thanks for sharing!

One of the best stories I have read in a long time.
Your reward will come later.
Thank you for sharing.

Well done. Thanks for sharing.

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing and being such an awesome Uncle.

Thanks for all the kind words.

Razorfeld I have not contacted any national groups but I have shared this story among a group that meets in my area locally for children with special needs. Most of them were like my mother and sister-in-law at first and feared the worst when it came to sharp objects and such but I've had a few come around. I even got one of the dads in the group interested in safety razor shaving and we often exchange ideas and tips.

That being said I do know some people at Autism Speaks and may contact them for the simple reason of letting people know of the ease of the task. I know we are not the only family who struggles with the issue of shaving a special needs child (he maybe 20 but he is still a child to me). Just being able to make life a little better is always the goal.

Beautiful story and well done, sir! I wish you and your newphew many more great shaves! :chapeau

I don't post here very often anymore but I just had to say thank you for sharing this touching story. I also applaud you for doing this for your nephew. Wet shavers rule!

What a wonderful story.

Blog This Post??

My older son is developmentally disabled and I have been shaving him with a DE for quite some time. He looks very forward to the ritual with the soaps and the brush and the hot towel and the After Shave afterwards.

I too applaud the OP.

I'm about to make a suggestion that at first blush may seem stupid, but it is up to the uncle and nephew to determine whether or not it truly is. OK, here goes.

You MAY want to consider giving him the opportunity to transition to a straight.

Bear with me please. A DE shave works quite well, no doubt about it. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on the situation, a DE shave can be very fast. On the other hand, a straight razor shave requires much more precision, and with it, an opportunity to take more time. This is an opportunity for intense focus for a somewhat extended time. Lathering, stropping, shaving, and clean-up--this can all be very pleasing for an autistic person.

In fact, honing can be quite pleasurable for a autistic person too!

Man this is just awesome!!!! I have a young cousin who is autistic. I know first hand from being around him what you are going through. Congrats to you for taking the time to not only help groom him but to make it more relaxing. very cool. :beer1:

I read this and loved the story. While my wife and I don't have to deal with the roller coaster of children with truly unique needs, we try and help out our friends that are in this situation as best as we can. She has kind of been laughing at me (as wives often do) since I started getting into wet shaving and joining this forum. When I read her the story, she started to "puff up" and felt that it was an "extremely cool" thing you did. In fact she commented about sharing it (Facebook and other social media), if you are good with that? She and I feel that there is enough garbage (keeping this 'G' rated) out there and there needs to be more good positive stories.

While I like to think I have a better than average command of the English language, I am at a loss for words to better describe what you did. All the positive comments here are true but the real beauty is not captured in words. The real beauty is captured in the warm feelings inside each person who is truly moved by what you helped your nephew experience. You took "torture" and made it exciting and fun, something he looks forward to.

To put a point to it, you made a HUGE improvement to his personal life!! What more can be done from one person to another.

I read this post last night and couldn't get it out of my head all day. I, too, have a nephew who is autistic, so I'm well aware of the challenges children and adults on the spectrum face every day -- things that most of us take for granted. Helping your nephew get over his aversion to shaving may seem small, but little victories like that can have a far-reaching effect. What you've done for that young man is wonderful. I hope that when my nephew is old enough to shave, I can do the same for him. Thank you for posting your story.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CtwoHsix0h

I read this post last night and couldn't get it out of my head all day. I, too, have a nephew who is autistic, so I'm well aware of the challenges children and adults on the spectrum face every day -- things that most of us take for granted. Helping your nephew get over his aversion to shaving may seem small, but little victories like that can have a far-reaching effect. What you've done for that young man is wonderful. I hope that when my nephew is old enough to shave, I can do the same for him. Thank you for posting your story.

---

You go for it, Rob. I don't have any autistic children in my family, but have helped them in the past, particularly, under 8's.

small things to us can be all-consuming to a person with autism. Large things to us can be ignored or perceived as a mere annoyance to a person with autism.

Simon

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tom475

I read this and loved the story. While my wife and I don't have to deal with the roller coaster of children with truly unique needs, we try and help out our friends that are in this situation as best as we can. She has kind of been laughing at me (as wives often do) since I started getting into wet shaving and joining this forum. When I read her the story, she started to "puff up" and felt that it was an "extremely cool" thing you did. In fact she commented about sharing it (Facebook and other social media), if you are good with that? She and I feel that there is enough garbage (keeping this 'G' rated) out there and there needs to be more good positive stories.

While I like to think I have a better than average command of the English language, I am at a loss for words to better describe what you did. All the positive comments here are true but the real beauty is not captured in words. The real beauty is captured in the warm feelings inside each person who is truly moved by what you helped your nephew experience. You took "torture" and made it exciting and fun, something he looks forward to.

To put a point to it, you made a HUGE improvement to his personal life!! What more can be done from one person to another.

---

Yes. Please share the story. I have no issues at all. I simple wanted to let the forum know how wet shaving has made our lives better. It's amazing how a seemingly small decision in one's life can change many other aspects of your life.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Utopian

I too applaud the OP.

I'm about to make a suggestion that at first blush may seem stupid, but it is up to the uncle and nephew to determine whether or not it truly is. OK, here goes.

You MAY want to consider giving him the opportunity to transition to a straight.

Bear with me please. A DE shave works quite well, no doubt about it. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on the situation, a DE shave can be very fast. On the other hand, a straight razor shave requires much more precision, and with it, an opportunity to take more time. This is an opportunity for intense focus for a somewhat extended time. Lathering, stropping, shaving, and clean-up--this can all be very pleasing for an autistic person.

In fact, honing can be quite pleasurable for a autistic person too!

---

I've thought about trying to shave him with a straight, but my one concern is him always jerking his head. He typically doesn't do it but that "option" is always there. And too, while I do use my straight, I'm as good at it at this point as I would like. I still get some cuts more than I would like and that's not something I want to do to my nephew. With all that said, it maybe something we venture into later on.

Thanks for sharing that awesome story.

I have Aspergers Syndrome. I know the joy your nephew is getting from DE shaves.

Good for you and your family. This is a wonderful experience for all. A world wide web family come together, on a forum such as SRP, to engage each other and to help one an other. Awesome.

You sir are an inspiration! I am 49 years old and got choked up, all the while with a huge smile, reading about your endeavor. My 16 year old daughter is in part of the "autism spectrum" and has minor, but noticeable, social and relational issues and struggles.
Having felt some of your challenges I can only imagine how much patience and love you have. I actually am able to read it through your words and descriptions.

May God bless you and your nephew!

Be well,
Steve