Directing
Natural
Ability
By James Edward Smith
DNA
We know that we use DNA in many ways. It’s
used to solve crimes, how living things work
and in the medical field.
Today, I will speak on DNA – for helping the
community with health care and how it
worked for me in the barber shop.
History of the Barber Pole
The Red represents blood.
The White represents bandages.
The Blue represents veins.
“Big Boomer”
•
•
•
6’7”
375lbs
BP 116/75
Big Boomer’s Testimony
Mr. Carstiler Weary, aka (Big Boomer) who has been a customer for 32
years participated in the Cut Your Blood Pressure Too program at the
Lancaster Kiest Barber Shop. His blood pressure is the reason why he is
taking care of his health now.
In May of this year, he had his annual physical. His blood pressure was
under control it was as if he was a 16 year old boy. His doctor got the
his blood work back from the lab and he notice his liver count was high
too. So he and his doctor agreed to order a ultra sonogram to check all
of his major organs ie. liver, lung, heart, kidney. Boomer received some
bad news. They found a spot on his kidney. The doctor and Boomer
agreed to do a complete CT scan of his body. That is when they saw a
spot on his thyroid. In June, he had his kidney removed that was
cancerous and in July he had his thyroid removed.
Billy Dancer
•
•
•
6’2”
165lbs
BP 139/79
Billy Dancer’s Testimony
Billy Dancer takes medicine to control his blood pressure. On Saturday, September 6, 2014
before 8:05 am., Billy was begin shaved by his barber when he pass out. Martha called for
help. I was shaving my customer and I secure my razor and caught him before he fell out
the barber chair. I took over his treatment until the paramedic arrived. I made sure he was
comfortable and kept talking to him and I got his home number so his wife could be
contacted. I got his number at work and was prepared to call his manager. I asked my
customer who is a ordained deacon, if he was praying and he started to pray along with me
out load after the prayer. The paramedics came and check his vital signs and they found
nothing bad with his blood pressure. His blood pressure was 139/79 pulse was 86. They
check his sugar count at it was (60). The paramedic said that was ok. (I disagreed with his
sugar count being it was too low). Billy would not go with the paramedic and he said that
he still had time to get to work. He told me that he was going home to eat and take his
blood pressure medicine and go to work. I made him eat a donut and drink as much coffee
as he could. I told him if he had eaten and taken his medicine he possible would not have
passed out. I told him if he had passed out driven his car he could have possible be in an
accident. I told he need to go to the hospital and get check out. He went home and came
back at 8:45 AM. He asked, “what station did the paramedic get dispatch from?” l told him
to call the 911 operator and tell them he was the person that we called to assist with his
emergency. Then, Billy told us the great news that he was going to the hospital to be
thoroughly checked. I told him that “we are family and we are only concern about his
health.” Billy went to the hospital and they kept him until Monday, September 8, 2014
observation and test. He stopped by the barber shop on Wednesday to thank us for
helping on Saturday. The hospital did not find anything wrong and he will follow his doctor
as scheduled. I will make sure his doctor give him a diabetes test.
Healthcare
My Barber Shop Ministry has helped
me to reach beyond the barber shop
to young barbers, the community, and
friends to get them signed up for the
Obama Care insurance. Everyone in
the United States needs to have good
healthcare insurance.
Obama Care
I have always worked two jobs. When I was
laid off in April 2013, I waited until the last
day to signed up for insurance. With not
many options I looked into the insurance
offered through the government.
Now, I am fully covered with Obama Care
insurance. I can now focus on building up
my barbering profession. My yearly cost for
Obama Care is lest than $0.25 a year.
Disparity in death rates
from HTN
60
50
40
Black
30
White
20
10
0
Men
Women
HTN in African Americans
gender gap
100
86
90
80
71
70
60
50
40
50
42
41
36
30
20
10
0
Prevalence
Treatment
Men
Control
Women
Second Feasibility Study:
Barbers as Promoters of BP control
Asked barbers to actively…

Offer BP checks

Promote physician referral
SMITTY SAYS, SIT IN MY CHAIR PLEASE, I
WANT TO TAKE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE!
My name is James Smith a.k.a. “Smitty .”
I discovered my blood pressure was high
when I was being trained to measure
blood pressure in the barbershop. My
doctor always told me my pressure wasn’t
that bad. Now I know that it always has
been too high.
I want you to know when you sit in my
chair you’ll be walking away with more
than a good hair cut! You will also have
your pink slip in your hand telling you what
your blood pressure is and what to do
about it.
MAN DOESN’T GIVE UP ON DOCTORS
Ten years ago I found out I had high blood
pressure. My pressure remained high after
seeing four different doctors over the years,
but my barber told me to go see the
doctors from the Barbershop Project. I
made an appointment and now my
pressure is finally coming down! The barbershop staff were friendly and
me that they wanted to help, so now I want to encourage other people to
go see the Doctors with the project. I take my medicine faithfully now
and if you want to live, you better make sure your blood pressure is right
and do whatever it takes to maintain it.
Car Service Rep Discovers He Needs To
Have His High Blood Pressure Serviced
My Name is Shelby Reese, I am 38 years
old and I have had high blood pressure for
the last 7 years. I had been going to the
doctor and getting pills, but I just ran out
of them. My job as an Acura Car Service
Rep keeps me really busy, so I let going to
the doctor and getting my medication slide to the backburner. I went to
see Martha my barber of 22 years and she took my pressure and it was
high. I knew then that I had to make time to go to the doctor and get
pills. If I had not had my pressure checked in the barbershop, I would
have put off going to the doctor some more. Having my blood pressure
checked at the barbershop will help keep me on track, and from now on
Martha will see better readings from me.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO CONTROL
ONE MAN’S BLOOD PRESSURE
My name is Don Robertson. I am 52 years old and have been aware of my high blood
pressure for about 20 years, but I stopped going to the Doctor because it was too
expensive. I was at Lancaster-Kiest Barbershop and they passed the word about
getting blood pressure treated at a great rate. That same day, I went to see one of the
doctors! I am so glad that the people from the barbershop showed care and concern
and everyone really has to take responsibility on the issue of High Blood Pressure.
If you want more information about blood pressure, please call our nursing staff at (214) 648-9135. We
would love to hear from you!
JAMES BROWN AND HIS CREW SAY, “THEY WANT
TO MAKE THEIR CUSTOMER’S FEEL GOOD.”
Smitty
Rossie
Martha
Mr. Brown
“IF YOUR PRESSURE IS 120/80 OR HIGHER, it is too high to treat by yourself with diet
and exercise. You need to see your doctor and get the right medication. ALMOST IS
NEVER GOOD ENOUGH FOR OUR CUSTOMER’S BLOOD PRESSURE!”
POSTAL WORKER SAYS ONLY STAMPS SHOULD GO
UP, BUT BLOOD PRESSURE SHOULD GO DOWN!
My name is Vaughn Morgan. I am a
clerk for the post office. I have had
high blood pressure for over ten
years, and have tried several
different medications to get it down!
None of them worked. I have gained
a lot of knowledge about blood
pressure, from my barber Ms.
Martha. She informed me that
something could be done to finally
get me at goal. She referred me to
a blood pressure specialist. He has
prescribed some new medicine. I
hope that my pressure finally goes
down after all these years. The only
thing that should keep going up are
the stamps I sell! Not my pressure!
If you want more information about blood pressure,
please call our nursing staff
at (214) 648-9135.
We would love to hear from you!
Barber Shop Ministry
James “Smitty” Smith
jamese1smith@gmail.com
Mobile (214) 384-4143
Shop (214) 374-2552
Home (972) 293-8573