A Heart 4 Clowning: Hospital Clowns, Caring Clowns & Healthcare Family Entertainers

Go with the Right Heart into the healthcare setting...

Are you in love with the idea of what you do as a hospital clown, caring clown, as an applied humor therapist or maybe even as a healthcare family entertainer? Or — are you in love with the “idea” of what it’s all about?

It’s a noble thing we do, to generously dispense Healing Humor all ’round, giving of ourselves and sharing laughter and cheer in dark places crying out for it, isn’t it?

At the same time, it may surprise you, as it does me — folks who are seemingly so “sold” on the idea of injecting Healing Humor in the healthcare setting — in actuality are often  much more in “like” with what they “do,” and more in “love” with the idea of what it’s all about.

What do I mean by this? I mean there are folks who love to:

• get all decked out and show up — which is surely a good thing, but don’t welcome training opportunities that would help them to be more proficient, professional and effective.
• talk about this cool thing they do down at the hospital or visiting those folks in the nursing home, but rarely can fit it into their always-busy schedule.
• entertain, be the center of attention, cheer the patients and staff, but put very little effort into their props or presentation (physical or look).

Guess some folks think “something” is better than ‘nothing.’ However, if we measure effectiveness for the effort expended, these are mindsets that will quash, demean or lessen the effect.

The purpose of ‘being there’ in the first place is patient-centered:

• If you’re not constantly learning, and open to receiving training ongoing from experienced and professional trainers and mentors, you’re quickly losing ground. You’re not top-of-your-game, or giving your best.
• If you’re not there, you’re not putting the patients “first” — you’re putting your schedule ‘first.’ If you’re “sold” on this concept, you must ‘sell yourself out’ to it fully. Otherwise — it’s expensive lip service you’re giving, for the money you spent on your trappings, props and supplies, isn’t it?
• All props and costumes become worn with use. Some items are not really intended for the use we make of them and wear out quickly or not be of quite good enough quality. If you are not willing to give your best in every way, it will come through every time in your performance and delivery. You don’t need to spend big bucks for a fabulous look — a little time and attention to detail go a long way.

It is amazing the number of folks who:

• will willingly and repeatedly turn down excellent training to further the art and increase their proficiency and professionalism offered by their own local organization (and not getting it anywhere else either, I might add!), and instead continue to do what they’ve always done, thinking that is “good enough.”
• would not otherwise make rounds were it not required by some organizations, in order to be “active.” If you’re part of an effort, you need to be an actual participant, not just on the roster.
•  believe any old thing they want to bring along with them to the hospital, nursing home, or healthcare facility is ‘fine just as it is,’ or little care is taken in preparation to “be there.”

So, in the midst of all of these mindset-things that pull folks away, divert their attention, or fool them into thinking “this is good enough for now — I’m here, aren’t I?” Their efforts are marred, missing the mark, and not as effective as they could be.

If you think about it, in the hospital or healthcare setting you have one opportunity to “make it” — or not. You have a special one-on-one performance just for that patient, a staff member who needs a lift, or how about that worried relative who’s visiting? How can you look them in the eye and not give them only the very best — and all you’ve got?

 Everyone is counting on you.