With his unselfish gestures toward his neighborhood, a Cincinnati barber has captured the hearts of many. Under his GIFTED initiative, this generous man provides free haircuts to any special needs youngster in the neighborhood. The friendship he has formed with a seven-year-old boy named Ellison, however, has captured the world’s attention.

Ellison is a lively young man who has Down’s Syndrome and has had three open-heart surgery. Despite the difficulties that come with his handicap, Ellison never gives up. Vernon Jackson, the barber, recognized Ellison’s infectious energy and wanted to make sure he felt comfortable during his haircuts not long after meeting him. Vernon gave Ellison a basic set of directions, which resulted in a humorous game that went viral on TikTok.

The video shows Vernon cutting Ellison’s hair, and if Ellison needed a break or wanted him to stop, he was to say «stop» and then «go» when he was ready for Vernon to continue. Ellison turned it into a game, and the two burst out laughing, creating a beautiful moment that captivated the world’s attention.

Julie Eubanks, Ellison’s mother, expressed gratitude to Vernon and hopes that this would help people recognize that everyone is special and wants to be included. The video clearly shows that these two have formed a particular friendship, and it is heartening to witness the positive influence that this program and Vernon have had on the neighborhood.

Vernon’s actions remind us that sometimes it is the small acts of kindness that can have the biggest impact. This barber’s selflessness and love for his community have not gone unnoticed, and we hope to see more heartwarming moments like this in the future.

Watch the viral video here: