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

New Design!

As the world grows increasingly gray, the need for humor in every day life is paramount… recognizing the need and seeking out ways to enahance your life by adding your own special blend of humorous ingredients offers health-boosting benefits, as well as making your world brighter!

Discover the positive health benefits of humor, how to administer generous doses of humor, in every day, for a happier healthier life!  

Now available in your choice of 2 convenient forms, with a beautifully redesigned cover:

#1: 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.

For more info: budurl.com/HealingHumorAudio

#2 Healing Humor: Live Happy – Be Healthy Audio CD, is a physical audio CD product that includes the audio portion (only) – for your own personal copy, and as a great addition to your Humor Library and resources.

For more info: http://budurl.com/LiveHappyBeHealthyCD

The backstory of Healing Humor: Live Happy-Be Healthy Audio Program is that it was written and recorded by Becky Cortino, as part of the “Creative Arts Celebration” held at Frye Regional Medical Center in April, 2008.

Breaking News for Healing Humor: Live Happy-Be Healthy Audio Program is the flashy, cool new design!

We’re celebrating the new bright art, lighter look,  and the fact that so many people have been enjoying this program since 2008!

Blast off for National Humor Month!

In a post earlier this month, we announced the arrival of National Humor Month, kicking off officially on April 1st, aka “April Fool’s Day.

To help you keep the humor going — maybe even long after this month – we suggest a quick visit to the Official National Humor Month site! It features a lot of great resources and tools. We especially love the clever free downloadable posters!

How about humor in the classroom? The site offers 48 Action Projects and a teacher’s guide for National Humor Month.

To keep the smiles going, we are pleased to once again be offering our “Funny Smile Makerz Kit” — back by popular demand! Simple, quick and easy, “Funny Smilez” are a great fun reminder enjoyed by all ages.

What are you doing for National Humor Month? Do you have any celebrations scheduled at your healthcare facility? Seems like a great excuse to celebrate, doesn’t it?! Please leave your ideas and comments…

Blast off for National Humor Month!

Join the laughter, join the FUN

– National Humor Month is for everyone!

Share a joke here, and a laugh there

– help spread levity everywhere!

NO joke — April 1st — “April Fool’s Day” kicks off National Humor Month!

Launched in 1976 by best-selling humorist Larry Wilde, Director of The Carmel Institute of Humor, National Humor Month is now joyfully promoted and orchestrated by event director  Steve Wilson, Founder/President of  World Laughter Tour aka “Cheerman of the Bored” and well-known as America’s Favorite Joyologist.

Here are some great links, to get you started… National Humor Month

Join in all the FUN — help share the mirth for all you’re worth

As a precautionary measure to combat the spread of H1N1 (also known as the Swine Flu), new policies and procedures are being put into place in healthcare facilities worldwide.

This has impacted hospital visitations for those in the Applied Humor Therapy venue:

• Some hospitals have banned or suspended hospital clown group visits for this season
• Some hospitals have amended visitation policies, but allowed clown visits to continue

For those who are currently not making Clown Rounds due to temporary suspension of these visits, it is difficult to have to sit on the sidelines for an unknown period of time.

However, this bit of extra time and space gives hospital clowns and healthcare family entertainers the opportunity to explore new dimensions and learn new skills! Some well-worn props in need of repair, or to be refreshed are waiting for attention. Maybe time and effort could now be lavished on that dream routine or must-have accoutrement waiting to be invented?

For those hospital clowns, caring clowns and healthcare family entertainers who are fortunate enough to continue their Clown Rounds, the heightened awareness of potential infection, coupled with the associated stringent institutional policies, provide new opportunities for Applied Humor Therapists to rise to a greater level of professionalism in their performances.

Finding new ways to spread laughter and cheer and not infection in their entertainment bits, fine-tuning presentation by making one-on-one time with each patient more meaningful, and staying healthy in the process are all possible, with renewed emphasis on best practices and hygiene protocol.

Either condition for the hospital clown, caring clown or healthcare family entertainer require the Applied Humor Therapist to not be swept away by the situation, but rather think outside the box — to their next step.

Such is always the case for those of us who make Clown Rounds, but this time our efforts are reframed with a new focus. This is an opportunity for increased professionalism on all counts. It is an epidemic opportunity!

How about you? Have new policies been established in your hosting healthcare facility? Have they affected your entertaining or visitations in any way? Please leave a comment and let us know…

AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio

Now in our second broadcast season… !

AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio is a very special show about Healing Humor and Applied Humor Therapy for:

*Hospital or Caring Clowns

*Family Entertainers in the Healthcare Setting

*Anyone interested in learning more about this special work:

Applied Humor Therapy

Healing Power of Humor in Every Day

Join us: Wednesday, September 9th 10AM PT/Noon CT/1PM EDT: “Keep the Humor Going…!”

Sometimes we find humor in the most unexpected places — but often, right where it’s needed!
Tune in to learn how humor in what might seem to be inappropriate situations may the perfect solution!

Join us for a fast 30-minutes of Inspiration for Applied Humor Therapists and their Fans, streaming LIVE, online or download to your iPod for Inspiration-To-Go!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/AHeart4ClowningTalkRadio

Beginning in the spring of this year, AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio shows are scheduled on a series basis. Listeners can sign-up to receive updates and show notifications.