By Cammeca Cookhorn, Gleaner Writer
THE OLD Jamaican adage, 'wah yuh nuh have do without', is contentment for those who are looking for an excuse not to do much.
But for Rasheed Rashard Williams otherwise called 'Nookie' or 'Paul', the proverb has taken on a new meaning. For this 34-year-old barber it means using the little you have to get what you want.
Paul, who resides in the eastern Kingston is physically disabled. He was born with one complete finger and a thumb on his right hand. There are no fingers on his left hand which ends at the wrist.
Despite his disability, Paul has mastered the art of barbering and operates from Pablo's Barber Shop on Windward Road near Manley Meadows. He skilfully positions the shear between his thumb and pinkie finger while he meticulously cut Alfred Nicholas' hair, a new customer. He added the finishing touch to his work by shaping the hairline with a razor after which he clipped the frizzing strands with a scissors which he manoeuvres by placing his thumb in one handle and his pinkie finger in the next.
SCEPTICISM
"It's okay, it's neat, he cuts it just like any other barber would," said Mr. Nicholas who later admitted that at first he was sceptical about letting him cut his hair. His scepticism faded after he saw Paul in action. "Me see him shave the man so me say he can handle himself him easy on him shear."
Paul admitted that at first people are reluctant to let him cut their hair. But he takes no offence, on many occasions he merely tells them, "if you doubt me you can just go to another barber."
He has been a barber for over 18 years but it took him less than four months to master the trade. He said he went into barbering just to show people with disabilities that they can do anything the average person does.
Prior to his barbering career Paul was a student at Kingston College where he stayed for a year. He then attended Papine Secondary but he never graduated. After school he explored the world of art. He painted designs on shirts, this was non profitable because he never marketed his work. Apart from the barbering Paul has other aspirations. As a child he wanted to be a doctor. This dream was short-lived after he realised the limitations of his disability. "I wanted to be a doctor, but because I have a disability you know I can't," he said.
Even though his dream of becoming a doctor was never realised, his drive to help people remained. This was confirmed by Percival Davis, a close friend of many years. "Him teach mi how fi trim, mi inspire from him," said Mr. Davies, a 31-year-old barber and friend of Paul. "Him trim mi and mi trim him ...I rate him as number one," said Mr. Davies.
There are people who sympathise with Paul, but he has no regrets or remorse regarding his disability.
He said: "I have no regrets. The one who created me accepts me for who I am, so why should I change that.
