Healing Humor Memorable Moment: Beyond Imagination – Heartfelt Wish Magically Granted!
Have you ever noticed how children often teach grown-ups how important they are in their lives, and to appreciate even the smallest of things? A little girl’s deepest heartfelt wish was magically granted, as she lay in a cancer hospital ward…
Healing Humor Memorable Moments in Their Own Words: This episode features reknowned creative designer Richard “Design-O” Smith sharing a heart-rendering memory about a little girl — a heartfelt wish, following her cancer treatment — and how the little girl’s wish was magically granted beyond anyone’s wildest imagination!
More Healing Humor Most Memorable Moments — and More… http://youtube.com/HealingHumor
Performers sometimes must change their tune!
…are the reason for the visit!
I remember the day well. We had just begun our Clown Rounds, and she came flying around the corner. When she got a look at us, she broke out into a huge, beautiful smile and warmly laughed, at the surprising sight standing before her. As I remember it, I think her laugh may have been one of those laughs of welcome-relief-to-see-us kind of laughs. You know — the kind that is relaxed, not forced, and maybe even a little self-soothing. She had just arrived at the hospital from out-of-town, to be by her father’s bedside.
Not hesitating one moment, she invited us in to meet him and spend a few precious minutes with them. We hadn’t even knocked on his door, before she greeted us and swept us away, inside his still, calm room. We accepted her gracious invitation and stepped into Center Ring. As always, we approached gently, quietly, so as not to disturb the sleeping older gentleman. I don’t believe his eyes opened the entire time we were in his room. But his daughter couldn’t keep her eyes off of us, and we talked and laughed and shared and had a wonderful visit.
As she held her dear daddy’s hand, she told him about us, and explained we were here to visit. I don’t believe he stirred a bit, nor even opened an eye to see. He just continued on, getting his well-deserved rest. She began to express her appreciation of our visit and how special it was to have the serendipitous experience of running into us (nearly!) as she did. We agreed. Once we sized up the room and patient situation as the door swung open, we knew we were “there” for the visitor, this time.
No doubt the patient receives benefits from a hospital clown’s gentle presence, even with eyes closed. I have personally witnessed this. But this time, it was the joyful interaction this visitor was craving, that helped her to slip into the room, and fill the otherwise silent void.
The Funny Smile Makerz Kit is for those who want to spread laughter and cheer, while making happy memories for others!
These Funny Smiles are wildly popular leave-behinds. We have been using them for years and years, and just realized they could be enlarged from the art in the kit for some B-I-G FUN!
Several friends have joined the Miles of Smiles Global Quest and have kits, so I wanted to share my surprise discovery!
Join our Global Quest to spread Smiles around the World!
It’s for everyone, and you’re invited 
You can get your own kit and make unlimited Smiles: budurl.com/FunnySmileMakerzKit
It's all about the relationships...
The thought to visit sick patients in the hospital or to cheer the infirm is often an endearing idea to many folks, especially if they have never actively done this, or possibly considering this compassionate act. Doing so is a meaningful Gift of Heart.
Once fully-vested in the adventure or totally addicted to the experience of Joy-provoking in the healthcare setting, it cannot be replicated elsewhere, and the need-to-be-there-to-share is paramount. The main focus of the endeavor may be a compassionate act, but it is only a part of the journey.
As in ‘real’ life, each and every step is guided, enhanced or obstructed by relationships…
- How personally prepared one is to embark upon this journey, to handle whatever comes their way.
- How much a part of the Wellness Team the individual and/or group, troupe or ministry is, in actuality.
- How committed the hospital clown, caring clown or healthcare family entertainer is to their true purpose.
- How adept the performer is in interacting with the patients, staff and visitors in any and all situations.
- How much the hosting facility embraces and supports the effort.
So, perhaps you mistakenly thought you’re totally prepared with the best training available, many years of experience with the most gorgeous costume, makeup and shtick around — but you would be incorrect.
You see, our performance in the healthcare setting is never all about us. I beg of you to deeply consider yet another element that will literally make-or-break your act and effectiveness… it’s all about relationships.
More to come – I promise…
A Hospital Clown Certification program has been discussed for many years. Recently, I was asked about the availability of professional certification training programs and career possibilities in this aspect…
If you cannot view the embeded video here (directly below), click this link, to watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MkHqNk7_Wg
After viewing this vid, if you are aware of another hospital clown certification program, please share the information by leaving the comment.
(Please note: We will only add new information, not restating the program mentioned in this video.)
Some time ago, I went on the record about the fact that NO degree or certification in Hospital Clowning is required to do this work as a Hospital or Caring Clown.
View that vid and my comments by clicking this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU0VTsNrOJM
Charlie's Chaplains' Skool
Fall is fast approaching! Along with it comes wonderful opportunities to become more active, and discover new avenues of interest. For me, fall has always been a sort-of ‘New Year,’ as I launch out on a fresh stretch of months in a ‘New School Year,’ so-to-speak.
What do you have planned? What new things will you be doing? Will you be exploring new interests or adventures? Exciting times ahead! Are you prepared? Will you be ready for Prime Time?
If your heart is leading you toward hospital or caring clowning, or healthcare performing, here are some great resources, regardless of your level of proficiency or experience:
Attend a Live Event:
Frye Regional Medical Center’s Charlie’s Chaplains’ Skool “Work of Heart: Injecting Healing Humor in Healthcare” For Hospital/Caring Clowns, Family Entertainers, Healthcare Professionals, and folks interested in establishing a hospital clown or healthcare family entertainer group, 9th consecutive Skool — Weekend/or Saturday Intensive available on September 24-25, 2010 in Hickory, NC For info, click this link (here)
MultiMedia Training — Always available on your schedule, ongoing…
- Hospital Clowns and Healthcare Entertainers Private Mentorship Training Program, and for those Creative Arts Performers who apply generous doses of Healing Humor in the Healthcare Venue! Immediate access to all necessary materials and BONUS Gifts, upon sign-up! Ongoing program geared for all levels of experience, delivering individual mentoring on mentee’s own schedule, with training videos, audios and tried-and-true resources.
- “How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Creative Ministry Guide” Online Webinar Package, video book companion with downloadable materials, immediately available upon sign-up.
- Work of Heart: Establishing a Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer Group – Train, Prepare & Equip: Video training, paired with 4 EBooks containing 103 pages of training materials; 4 printable booklets for your team or group training; arts enrichment/low-cost play-big group performance activities, more…Perfect companion to How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Creative Ministry Guide! Immediate access at sign-up.
- Healing Humor: Live Happy – Be Healthy! Online Audio Program — A self-paced Healing Humor online course with immediately available downloadable materials allows attendees to listen to audios at their convenience, enjoy EBooks and printables immediately! The course is presented in 5 separate audio segements, with related downloadables, all available online, to be listened to and enjoyed indefinitely, from the time of enrollment.
"Bubba" Sikes
“A Heart 4 Hospital Clowning” Interview with “Bubba” Sikes on AHeart4Clowning Talk Radio Show July 8 1PM EDT
Center Ring Spotlight this month is on special guest JT “Bubba” Sikes world-renowned Hospital Clown, COAI clown-in-residence, great trainer, downright – and outright VERY funny guy! He will be on the July show to talk about Hospital Clowning and humor in the healthcare setting – with tips, ideas and pointers you can use!
Join us as we broadcast live, or listen to the recorded show on your schedule, from the archive!
Call or text-in your questions during the show… listen from the comfort of your computer, or your phone.
AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show “A Heart 4 Hospital Clowning” Interview with JT “Bubba” Sikes Show Link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aheart4clowningtalkradio/2010/07/08/a-heart-4-hospital-clowning-interview-with-jt-bubba-sikes
Summertime is even more sublime when reading is added to the mix of fun events, and hopefully a little easier – or at least different – schedule of commitments, freeing up some time to explore a book. Nothing better than digging into that book waiting for you on the shelf, or settling in with one you’ve had in mind to peruse, for a while!
If you’ve been wanting to read How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Creative Arts Ministry Guide — or – From the Heart: Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting, now’s a great time to order and get FREE shipping.
Our publisher is offering FREE Shipping during the Summer in the US, on orders of $19.95 and over (some restrictions apply). How do you take advantage of this special Lulu Summer Shipping, you ask? It’s easy! According to our Publisher, both books qualify for this special offer. Just click on either book title (linked text) or by clicking (on this link) here to see all my book descriptions, then click on the linked text for program details on the individually-listed book pages.
Personally, I’m a big fan of FREE shipping, so I think the idea is brilliant! Happy reading! As for me? I’m into books #3 +1/2 and enjoying every page…
When appearing in the healthcare setting, a good deal of what entertainers do for patients is to empower them. This is done in several ways as part of the performance, gently offered in a 2-step process:
- Initially, allowing the patient to decide if they would like to have a clown or entertainer enter their room for a visit. Ask the patient’s permission first, before entering their room. Remember — they are in the hospital, and you are likely the only person they can refuse or tell “no.” Allow them that blessing. Their refusal to see you is not meant as a personal reaction to you, but it is a deeply personal decision to them. Since they are in the hospital, you are likely the only person they can refuse or tell “no.” The whole permission request step is empowering to the patient because they are the ones to decide.
- Pulling patients into the act, as an integral part of the performance allows them to become involved in the activity however they may be able. This helps break the monotony and dispels pervading sadness, while whisking them away to a lighter place for this moment in time. Participating in an act may be as simple as completely directing the ’scene’ (”stop,” “go,” “yes,” “no,” etc.). I recommend no hands-on activities (by the patients), but that is up to your hosting healthcare facility. Some hospitals allow this type of entertaining, and their policies, procedures and hygiene protocol should be followed.
As you can see, the whole concept of figuratively putting the patient into Center Ring for the performance (or not) is all about them — not us, as entertainers. Our performance is completely based upon their decisions, preferences and choices. Following this strategy not only gives the patient a lighter moment but allows them the grace of personal empowerment to decide and take an active part (or not) in the process.
In the healthcare setting, the patient is the star performer! As the hospital or caring clowns or healthcare family entertainers serve up a tasty feast of fabulous fun, let us always remember this wonderful motto:
“Have it their way!”
Related Post: Hospital Clowns/Healthcare Family Entertainers: Which Comes First: the Patient or the Act?
'Being there' isn't enough.
Part Two in a series on Entertaining in the Healthcare Setting…
A healthcare family entertainer has many considerations in performing in the venue — costume, schtick, props, policies, procedures, and much more… but never should the preparations nor the entertainment be put before all else. Showing up in your finery, with all the best stuff and greatest act in the world is not enough. It’s laudable to always put your best effort and clown foot forward, but not before first considering the audience.
Other facets of what entertainers do for patients in the healthcare setting is to empower them. This is done initially by allowing the patient to decide if they would like to have you enter their room for a visit. Remember — they are in the hospital, and you are likely the only person they can refuse or tell “no.” Allow them that blessing.
It is not up to the hospital clown or healthcare family entertainer to barge into the patient’s room anyway — throwing our hat into the proverbial ring (or their room) while completely ignoring their feeble request — because ‘we know they will feel better seeing a clown,’ or whatever reason you have in mind. If they saw you from just outside their door — they saw you, and that may be enough for them in that moment in time.
Sometimes the act you will perform for a patient is a simple act of kindness, from the heart — allowing them the space and time to continue in their healing or preparation process and respecting their response to you, because they know how they feel.
Related posts:
Hospital Clowns and Caring Clowns Offer a Work of Heart for All
What in the World are You Here For?
Next: How patients are a ‘part of the act’ when entertaining in the healthcare setting