Training is a Launchpad for Effectiveness!
Sometimes, armed with just a little training, limited knowledge and a big heart to serve in this special way can be more dangerous than being willing to remain open-minded, welcoming and receiving needed training from those who are more experienced.
Many situations that present themselves on Rounds are in actuality counter-intuitive. My thought is the simple truth about hospital clowning is: “A Hospital Clown is not really ‘born,’ they’re trained — ongoing.”
Applied Humor Therapist or hospital clown mentors can help you direct your efforts, cut through the clutter and be your best from the start. Choosing to go your own way through the maze that lies before you may instead result with muddling through situations, and maybe not ever reaching your full potential, eventually possibly throwing in the towel, due to burn-out.
It happens. It’s a sad, sad day when it does, because the world loses a needed smile-maker in a dark, lonely and sometimes scary place — the healthcare setting. There, the patients are looking for a friend, or could use some pain relief from a good laugh or fun surprise you could offer. The staff misses your smiling face. Everyone suffers — and loses a bit of Joy in the process.
In training, we learn our entire focus must be on the patient at all times. This is where it should be from the outset — on the patient — not:
…on what we want to do.
…on what the “next step” is.
… on the next-part-of-this-performance-I’m-doing is.
…that we are rabid to be a hospital clown or healthcare family entertainer at any and all costs.
…that we should be performing at the expense of the patients (our audience).
…as an inherent liability to the hosting healthcare facility.
Preparing, equipping and training for the uncharted waters that lie ahead provides a much better compass to guide your meandering steps in those clown shoes, my friend. Don’t ever ignore taking care to nurture the clown from within — from the beginning and all during this wonder-full Journey.
Don’t ever shortchange your training, preparing and equipping. Seek out the best training you can find, every step of the way for this adventure. In doing so, you will remain inspired and fresh. If you shortchange yourself – the clown within – you also shortchange your audience and will short-circuit your performance.
Being forewarned is forearmed, I believe…
Want to launch your Hospital Clowning or Applied Humor Therapy Program to the next level?
I recommend… now registering — and folks are already enrolled!
LIVE EVENT:
MUTIMEDIA WEBINAR:
I recommend and am involved with these programs, based on my actual hands-on experience in Applied Humor Therapy as a Hospital Clown since 1997. Launched in 2003, I developed the current Frye Regional Medical Center Charlie’s Chaplains Hospital Creative Ministry as a ‘New Generation’ program including professional healthcare family entertainers, and creating the concept of FRMC Charlie’s Chaplains’ “Skool.”
At the date of this writing, I have trained 220 Hospital/Caring Clowns. These programs are designed with an integral understanding of the challenging venue of Hospital Clowning, presented from a Grassroots perspective, featuring universal concepts that will benefit participants.
FOR MORE INFO on my background: About Becky Cortino (click on this link)
Are you ready to step up your Healing Humor Injections to the next level? Check out these recommended programs! They’re designed with all levels of experience and competency in mind.
If I can be of further assistance to you, or answer any questions you may have regarding these programs, please use the online contact form to notify me. (Click on this link)
