I was chatting with the driver of the DART bus on my way home from a doctor's appointment. She was telling me about her 36 yo son, who co-owns the Switch skateboard, longboard and snowboard shop in downtown Newark, Delaware. Joey started growing dreadlocks when he was 14, HE HASN'T CUT HIS HAIR SINCE! Currently, his dreads reach mid-calf length. I wish I could find a better picture, all I have is a link to his Facebook page, he has a picture of himself sitting on a beach with his dogs, and you can see some of the dreads. The mom said he does have to work to maintain them, his hair is naturally stick straight. He has to continually twist them. They have never been undone, so any hair he has shed for the past 22 years, remains in the dreads. He has a routine for washing and oiling them. He was very serious about wanting hem as a teen, his mother said he could as long as he took proper care of them (Yay mom!). He has been an avid skateboarding since then too. Here's the link to his FB pictures, you'll see the one I'm referring to on the right.
PS I've been dealing with some health issues, so I haven't been around. I'm having arthroscopic surgery on my right shoulder on Tuesday to repair a badly torn rotator cuff and remove a bone spur.
https://www.facebook.com/joey.simpers/photos
Hey Carol!
How awesome of a story that is! Growing one's dreadlocks for SO many years requires dedication! an just imagine all that hair one sheds, and none of them actually disappear, but rather get tangled in the locks... wowzers! :D
Can't see his true length and thickness from the pictures, but I can tell Joey is one heck of a cool cat, seeing as he is hiking in the mountains with his girl and runs a boardshop ;)
Wishing you good luck and a speedy recover on your surgery!
Thanks! I note that you are getting dreads yourself. If you haven't checked out the Knotty Boy website, that is very informative, including tutorials. They sell dread care products, and many have used their methods when they want to undo the dreads. Looking forward to the pics of your dreadlocks.
Hi Carol,
Sorry to hear about your health problems but hoping you make a full recovery and can put that issue behind you:)Nothing worse than having health problems that affect your lifestyle.Please let us know how it works out for you:)Cheers
Mârk
Thanks for the reply, definitely looking forward to putting this behind me.
Hi Carol,
I sincerely hope your surgery goes well and you have a speedy recovery! That guy you mention definitely sounds very cool. It would be nice to see the full length of his dreadlocks. Have a great week my friend!
Ted
Thank you! It will take a while to fully recover, I will need physical therapy and will need to rest the shoulder for a few weeks post-surgery. The good thing, is the success rates are very good. So, in the long run, more mobility and less pain. I've read some of your postings about your kidney issues, and that you are awaiting a transplant. Hoping all works out for you down the road, when the time comes for the new kidney.
Hi Carol,
Thank you so much for your very kind words! I am not letting the kidney issues get me down! I just consider it a minor setback in my life. A positive attitude goes a long way when it comes to these things. Also, a little Faith in the man upstairs doesn't hurt anything either:)
I do wish you Godspeed in your recovery! May you be back at full function very soon! Please keep smiling and don't ever give up! I sure don't! Great week to you my friend!
Ted