Archive for the Category »Caring Clown «
Because the patient is in Center Ring when entertaining in the healthcare setting, there are some approaches that work best, and other techniques are not appropriate. Such is the case in ‘live performance.’ For instance, there is a definite difference between performing a skit and a schtick. However, we’ve met many clowns who do not perceive the difference between these two vehicles of entertainment, nor understand the correct application of them.
Healthcare family entertainers offer more than just a performance for their captive audience. Harking back to the original intent and purpose of entertaining — or cheering the patient is to:
- Empower them in the process, by allowing them choices — whether to allow us in to interact with them, in the first place.
- Including them in the performance as part of the act, to the extent possible in their health condition — giving them a needed break from their current situation, taking them away from that place even if for just a moment in time.
Here’s why skits don’t work when entertaining patients:
- By the nature of what our important ‘job’ is in the healthcare setting, the family entertainer, hospital clown or caring clown must remember to keep the spotlight on the patient — at all times.
- Even skits that are devised with outcomes that may be decided by the audience, or modified according to whim, are at the least somewhat pre-determined ‘templates’ of a set of actions to be applied to an unpredictable setting each and every time, in the healthcare venue.
- Skits come with a set of given situations and outcomes that are required to make it effective in a traditional setting, but may not be able to be played out to completion due to continual unknowns with each patient.
- Performers involved with presenting a skit must step into Center Ring, displacing the patient in the process, if even for a moment. This not only removes the patient from the main focus of the visit, but also takes the entertainer’s attention away from their audience. This totally sucks the air and the life out of the experience.
Why schticks work:
- They are short bits of performance with no agenda, that can be reworked according to each and every patient’s condition, degree of interaction or performance.
- Schticks often present a vehicle to draw the patient into the Center Ring to assist the magician or uniquely help solve the ‘problem’ for the silly clown who just ‘doesn’t get it.’
- This means of entertainment is such that the bit can be shortened, lengthened or even terminated abruptly as necessary, according to the patients’ changing condition.
- The patient is empowered by the performance tailored to them, and for that moment in time, taken to another place — of levity and fun.
NEXT: How can a healthcare family entertainer, hospital clown or caring clown perform more effectively in the healthcare setting with schticks, and avoid the inappropriate use of skits?
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
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…
After viewing this vid, if you are aware of another hospital clown certification program, please share the information by leaving a 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.aheart4clowning.com/2010/01/09/injecting-healing-humor-in-the-healthcare-setting-through-hospital-clowns-healthcare-family-entertainers-and-applied-humor-therapists/
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
If you are currently involved in a hospital or healthcare clown or humor program, or want to establish one…
Recommended Training and Resources for: Hospital Clowns, Caring Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers, Applied Humor Therapists in the Healthcare Setting and Humor Programs for Healthcare Professionals:
http://www.aheart4clowning.com/2010/07/12/training-preparing-and-equipping/
'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
'Being there' isn't enough.
Hospital clowns, caring clowns and healthcare family entertainers exist to perform in their venue on the world’s smallest stage. Their entertainment is often at a patient’s bedside, to an audience comprised of one. The act usually debuts in real time, right before their eyes and will likely never be performed quite the same way again.
In most cases, the focus is on the patient because the reason for being there is to brighten their day and lessen their pain if at all possible, through an unexpected interlude of joy and levity. But “being there” is not enough.
“Getting there” may seem a nearly unsurmountable task for most, especially if you are a family entertainer who is wishing, waiting and hoping to become involved in a healthcare humor program. Sometimes, persevering through the seemingly endless maze of training and testing to begin rounds may feel overwhelming. I realize this, but once arriving at the facility for rounds again I say — “being there” is not enough.
Next: How patients are empowered when entertaining in the healthcare setting…
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