Archive for the Category »Therapuetic Clown «
Sometimes: Out of the Ashes arises a Clown!
It’s often interesting to hear how folks get involved in this kind of “work” that looks like ‘play.’ It seems the attraction and draw to cheer patients in the healthcare setting is as varied as the individuals themselves, although occasionally there are some similar-themed stories of auspicious beginnings.
Many are drawn to this venue in a variety of forms, as: hospital clowns, caring clowns, therapeutic clowns, family entertainers, applied humor therapists and smile makers. Their aim is to do what we do spreading laughter, cheer and injecting Healing Humor wherever we go, and however we can — whenever it is a prescription to be filled.
Folks are sometimes attracted to the idea of what we do in the healthcare setting because they were at one time in a similar setting as a patient or with a loved one. Perhaps they experienced the art and joy of hospital clowning in action firsthand, and their heart was touched. They would like the opportunity to pay it forward for someone else in similar condition or situation, or to make a difference, as they well know the positively-brightening effect of properly-applied humor on dark days.
Whatever the draw to this venue, once clown shoe hits the facility floor on Clown Rounds, folks’ individual responses may surprise even themselves. It is possible that flashbacks of sad times may manifest, making it difficult to go on visitations. Memories and personal experiences may prove to be too much to be able to serve in this way, and to be effective.
Sometimes, even those folks who do not have sad memories to override are affected by the condition and situations they see. It can happen. There are ways to address this reaction… here are 4 strategies:
- Prior to visitation, any hospital clown, healthcare entertainer, applied humor therapist must prepare themselves for the session. Part of the preparation process is to step ‘outside themselves,’ isolating their personal views, life experiences, and memories from their actual modus operandi while visiting. In essence, they transform into the character they are to become, no longer to be the person they were, before getting into ‘character.’
- Focus needs to be placed entirely on the patient, and completely away from self — that is why we are in the hospital or healthcare setting. It is the only way we can effectively do the work we do. If your reach is only as far as you (yourself), your reach will extend no further with diminshed effect.
- Realize there may be a time in your life when you might be vulnerable, and not able to serve as you know you can or could. At those times, it’s better to sit-out a visitation or several scheduled visits, until you feel your confidence returning.
- Remember your purpose in the healthcare venue is to cheer and uplift others — not yourself. It seems to be a natural byproduct for the cheer-giver to also receive positive benefits, but that is not the purpose of what we do. If your intended purpose is unclear, it is better to receive more training and to get clear on your own motivations and intentions. It is true — this venue is not for everyone.
Since my unexpected debut as a hospital clown in 1997, I have heard many moving and inspirational stories of those who seemed to emerge “out of the ashes“ of where they were, and successfully become incredible clowns.
I have also personally witnessed on more than one occasion, when someone with a willing heart to do this work, just couldn’t walk their talk. It was almost like an invisible binding kept them from being the kind of clown they were sure they could be, but — they could not be set free from what was holding them hostage.
TIP: If you have any questions related to this topic, discuss your situation with your group coordinator. Many strategies and specialized training may be available for you through your hosting facility or group.
NOTE: This article deals only with the “personal” aspect of this topic. Strategies and program components can and should be implemented by active groups, troupes, ministries, and/or hosting facilities.
If I may be of assistance to you or your group in some way as related to this and more RE: training, preparing and equipping — I offer resources and ongoing online training 24-7, available on your schedule from the comfort of your computer, anytime — wherever you are:
Applied Humor Therapy Mentorship: Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting
Healing Humor: Live Happy – Be Healthy!
Work of Heart: Establishing Hospital Clown/Healthcare Entertainer Group – Train/Prep/Equip
Funny Smile Makerz Kit + MORE: Share the Smiles!
Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting: Entertaining Effectively in the Healthcare Venue (NEW Book)
5 Related articles you might find helpful are listed below (click on the title of this article, if you don’t see the topics listed below)…
Jumpa and Sparkle share Healing Humor
At the Alberta Children’s Hospital,when they need a little laughter, they simply send in the clowns…
Jumpa and Sparkles are Sisters of the Heart… click on the picture to view their recent ‘in-action’ video!
…or click on this link:
http://www.globaltvbc.com/Therapeutic+clowns+healing+with+laughter/4692557/story.html
BabyCakes, Giggles, LorBelle
Inside the heart of a caring clown…
How does one convey the magic that happens when you interact with others at such a sensitive time in their lives and try to touch their hearts in a deep connected way is beyond the written word?
I find the more I give of myself in silliness, attention, energy, touch and laughter it continues to make a deep impact on the lives of others and myself.
As I get ready for the day to spend at Children’s Hospital to become my caring clown I am anxious and excited for the encounters and joy I am about to share with those who I will meet on my clown rounds. I find myself trying to think of some props I can use during the course of the clown rounds.
But once I am released out into the hospital, it just happens people begin to react to what they are seeing. My face, my outfit, my reactions and then we feed off each other, while we are experiencing this moment where we are mentally lifted out of the current situation into an environment of play.
A world of impossibilities and our imaginations are the limitations. We allow children, adults and staff to join us throughout our day.
A day at the hospital is filled with, in-the-moment encounters one after another, some blending together. At every turn another encounter, most starting with a smile or a wink or just a turn of the head, to see a clown in a hospital! Some are afraid, some are cautious, some can’t wait to interact, some are just observing but most see a different kind of energy coming from these clowns and want a part of this playfulness so it can make a difference for them for today’s visit or during the course of their shift.
Being a caring clown is so much more than words can describe. I don’t know of any other interaction between two strangers that can be more moving than this kind. The touching moments we share with others are the amazing results of what we do like the moment we were asked to come in the room of a little girl who was in pain, and needed to have another procedure that was inflicting more pain.
Once she saw us and we then began to interact with her, the medical staff was able to do their job with her being distracted. It seemed like someone just relieved her pain, and the someone was us. When we left, she was calm and smiling and the medical staff finished their task.
Then there are the many hugs we give or receive by the adults that just need to be comforted. These encounters are unlike any other I have experienced, they are so powerful and priceless to the heart of my being as well as those who are on the receiving end of our caring.
Deb “Giggles” Foy is the Director of Clown Angels, a group of dedicated caring clowns that share smiles, joy and love at several nursing homes and hospitals in the greater Detroit area.
Clown Angels: http://www.ClownAngels.com
Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful experiences with us Deb, so appreciated! In reading your story, I’m reminded that no matter how different our venues may be, in reality we share many common threads — sharing joy, smiles, love, hope… I had the privilege and joy of meeting Giggles, BabyCakes and LorBelle at FRMC Charlie’s Chaplains’ Skool ’10.
How about you — do you have some memorable caring clown moments? If you have a “Most Memorable Moment” story to share, please do! We’d love to shine the Big Top spotlight on you — to inspire others!
Finding Healing Humor with Therapeutic Clown Cheryl "Miss Loosie" Oberg, Certified Laughter Leader
A lightened mood often begins just at the edge of a smile, as Certified Laughter Leader Cheryl “Miss Loosie” Oberg well knows… in fact, that is the name of her company, Edge of a Smile! She has observed this remarkable phenomena time and again, and often provoked that serendipitous reaction!
Be sure to tune into AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show on Thursday March 17 at 1PM ET – Noon Central – 10AM PT to hear what Cheryl shares with us about her journey in the field of Applied Humor Therapy, behind that red nose, as a Certified Laughter Leader, and a variety of situations. She will also share a bit about her upcoming presentation “Laughter in an Ocean of Grief,” at the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor Conference next month.
Cheryl Oberg, CLL is a therapeutic clown who facilitates humor and laughter with families and children in the hospital setting, seniors living in care facilities, hospice, corporate teams in the workplace, youth in career forums and schools. She has received several awards for her gift of sharing joy and laughter.
Show link:
Listen L-I-V-E from the comfort of your computer or phone… catch recorded show later from the archive, or download to your iPod.
Receive A Heart4Clowning TalkRadio Show Notes:
On February 17th AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show kicked off our 4th consecutive broadcast season, with a very special guest: therapeutic clown Kathy “Piccolo” Keaton. Here is a great vid that shows the work she does, spreading happiness and laughter in the healthcare setting:
Kathy is one of the featured instructors at Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) Conference April 7-11th, Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa (Disneyworld) Florida. This year, there are 3 therapeutic clowning sessions being offered! I know all of the instructors, and think you will thoroughly enjoy their classes… Check this cool conference out — for more information: http://www.aath.org/conference.htm
Last year, I was honored to present on How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Healthcare Family Entertainer Group at the AATH Conference. To read my impressions of it, click this link here
AHeart4Clowning now offers a Home Study based on my presentation: Work of Heart: Establishing Hospital Clown/Healthcare Entertainer Group – Train/Prep/Equip, for program details, click this link here
There are additional suggested related links listed below, including a link to the post about our AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show interview, in case you would like to tune in…
"Robbo" with Patch Adams in Russia
Intro: It seems we hospital clowns, caring clowns, healthcare family entertainers, applied humor therapists and smilemakers are in agreement about the fact that we are very fortunate to get to do the kind of ‘work’ we do, that looks like play. We also get to meet and work with the dearest, most awe-inspiring folk as the patients and healthcare staff we chance to meet, and serve with fabulous team members in the trenches!
Sometimes, serendipitous experiences extend outside facility walls, as was the case when “Bubbles” and I had the opp to meet up with “Robbo” right here on AHeart4Clowning.com! She shared her clown heart with us, and we were thrilled to hear of her decision to follow her dream to go on a humanitarian trip with Patch Adams to Russia. I was immeasurably blessed (as several others), to receive “updates” from “Robbo” as she prepared for her trip, throughout her adventure, and back home again. We had discussed the possibility of her sharing a peek into her wonder-full trip, because I knew you would love to hear about her experience. I am so pleased she agreed — “Thank you, Robin!” Enjoy, folks…
“My name is Robin Burg, clown name, “Robbo.” I decided I wanted to be a medical clown last year. I created my clown, took a two-day workshop with Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe in Needham, Massachusetts, and enrolled for 6 weeks of magic classes at Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. There are no hospital clown troupes in Los Angeles if you don’t belong to the Shiners’ for example. I am taking improv classes to help my clown, which I am enjoying immensely! Not as a clown, I volunteer at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital once a week. I also have done gigs for Children’s Burn Center, Friendship Circle and the Veterans Administration.
The most fabulous thing I have done was in November 2010. I went on the 26th Annual Two Week Humanitarian Clown Trip to Russia with Dr. Patch Adams! We were 30 clowns from 8 countries. No experience in clowning was required but there were several who clowned on this trip before, several who do medical clowning in their towns.
We clowned in orphanages, hospitals, institutes, a nursing home, a home for retired actors, did private home visits as well as clowned on the streets, at the metro station and in the metro! Russian medical students took a week off to clown with us in both Moscow and St. Petersburg. Our hostess in each of the two cities had us all over for dinner where there was dancing and performing.
On the bus, we were asked to sit with someone we had not yet sat with each time we boarded which bonded each of us to one another. I learned so much from Patch and the other clowns. This was a great way to jumpstart my clowning back in Los Angeles. I am no longer timid about being in my clown on my own in public. For example stopping at the grocery store after a gig gives me a real thrill! I have shown the album of my trip at the VA and to my Rabbi, which led to gigs at the VA and home visits (and later hospital visits) to shut-ins in the congregation.
This marvelous experience has magnified the clown that I am. When I look back at my life I can see that I have been working towards this my whole life. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to clown with Patch and the other clowns. I am emailing with clowns in Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, Japan, Italy, Canada, and 6 US States!
Books that have been of help are: “The Art and Joy of Hospital Clowning”; “So You Wanna Be a Clown”; “A Heart 4 Clowning”; “Gesundheit!” and “House Calls.”
You can take a look at patchadams.org for information on opportunities with Patch.
Thank you for letting me share.
Hugs, Giggles, Peace and Love,
“Robbo” “
Thanks so much for sharing your fabulous adventure with us Robin, and your fav reads and resources — all appreciated! As I read your story, and remembered our conversations, I am reminded how small our hospital clown community is, in reality. Many outside this nichey-niche don’t realize that a lot of us really do know each other “in real life” as well as ‘in face.’
The Real Patch Adams: Did you ever wonder what Patch is really like...?
Watch the vid right here, click this link to view video!
“The Art and Joy of Hospital Clowning” was written by Jeannie Lindheim, founder of ‘Jeannie Lindheim’s Hospital Clown Troupe,’ now ‘Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe’ in the Boston area.
In March, I interviewed Cheryl Lekousi, executive director of Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe on AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show. You can read more about the troupe and hear her insights by clicking this link (here)
I interviewed Jeannie Lindheim on AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show in April. You can read about Jeannie, hear our interview, and her pearls of wisdom by clicking this link (here)
When “How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Creative Ministry Guide” was first published in 2007, I was totally thrilled to receive a very meaningful phone call from Patch Adams, with kind and encouraging words about my book.
How about you — do you have some memorable caring clown moments? If you have a “Most Memorable Moment” story to share, please do! We’d love to shine the Big Top spotlight on you — to inspire others!
AHeart4Clowning's Becky Cortino interviews Jollytologist Allen Klein
On February 22, renowned Jollytologist Allen Klein, applied humor therapy visionary discusses his compelling journey and new book Learning to Laugh When You Feel Like Crying: Embracing Life After Loss, with AATH Laugh and Learn Teleconference host Becky Cortino, in a 60-minute interview. The interview will be conducted live at NOON ET (GMT5). Attendance is open to Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) members and nonmembers interested in attending this extraordinary event.
Klein got into this unusual line of work after his wife died of a rare liver disease at the age of 34. He saw how humor helped her, and those around her, cope. He also saw how humor helped him get through that loss. He now teaches others how to find some in trying times. Those audiences include people in 48 states as well as Israel and Australia, and clients from IBM to the IRS.
Klein is the immediate past-president of The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, an international organization with nearly 600 members whose purpose is to advance the understanding and application of humor and laughter for their positive benefits.
Klein is also an award-winning speaker and best-selling author as well as the recipient of a Toastmasters Communication and Leadership Award and a Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association. (Fewer than 800 of its 4,000 members have this honor.)
He is also a 2007 inductee into New York City’s Hunter College Hall of Fame Only about a dozen people are selected from the thousands of the past graduates for this distinction.
Klein’s first book, The Healing Power of Humor, is now in a 31st printing and eighth foreign language translation. It shows readers how to use humor to deal with everyday trials and tribulations. His second book, The Courage to Laugh: Humor, Hope, and Healing in the Face of Death and Dying, documents how people have used humor to triumph over tragedy.
And his most recent book, Learning to Laugh When You Feel Like Crying, shows readers how to embrace life fully again after a loss. It incorporates the five steps of going from loss to laughter: Losing, Learning, Letting Go, Living, and Laughing.
He has also authored thirteen other books, including Quotations to Cheer You Up, Up Words for Down Days, The Change-Your-Life Quote Book, WorkLaughs, ParentLaughs, and TeacherLaughs. And his writing has appeared in four Chicken Soup for the Soul books.
Klein has a master’s degree in humor (from St. Mary’s College in Minnesota—and that’s no joke!) And he is well suited to his subject. Years before becoming a “Jollytologist”, Klein was nicknamed the “King of Whimsy” because he designed all the children shows at CBS television in New York City. Among those productions was one you probably remember—the Captain Kangaroo show.
Although no longer working in the light-hearted world of children, Klein still believes that adults need to take a lesson from them and lighten up. To help adults do this, Klein is both the editor or The Mid-Month Mirth Memo e-zine and founder of International Mirth Month (every March).
This teleconference interview will be conducted live at NOON ET (GMT5). Attendance is open to Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) members, and nonmembers interested in attending this extraordinary event. Registration is required, and allows access the recording.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED and may be completed by:
Email: staff@aath.org
– OR –
Call TOLL FREE: 888-747-AATH (2284) – OR – 949-715-4681
COST: AATH Members : FREE // Non-Members: $10
# # #
AATH Laugh and Learn Teleconference Host Becky Cortino is a professional Integrated Marketing Communications Consultant who assists clients in effectively expressing their message through New, Social and Traditional Media through her consultancy Express-It Media Fusion. She is also a published author, speaker and producer of numerous multimedia programs on the topic of Applied Humor Therapy.
Download or share this press release online, by clicking this link (here)
This applies to anyone who is a hospital clown, caring clown, healthcare family entertainer, applied humor therapist or smilemaker in the healthcare setting…
Wondering: What is the ‘True Heart of a Clown’ – ?!
I have broken the word ‘heart’ down letter by letter, to define it through an acronym: h-e-a-r-t:
“H” stands for: Happy. The True Heart of a Clown emanates from the spirit. The heart of the being is the message. The message is communicated through the words, actions, and approach. Happiness is the mission – the goal – the message, experienced through the discovery of joy and wonder.
“E” stands for: Ebullient. The True Heart of a Clown overflows with joyful enthusiasm. While sometimes confronted with sad moments in time, the spirit is always uplifting, while sympathetic to the situation or compassionate to the presented need.
“A” stands for: Artful. The True Heart of a Clown is filled with creativity, as demonstrated in performance, communication, the clown’s very being. By effectively applying artfulness to his craft, the performer and message are set apart from the rest, gaining the audience’s attention.
“R” stands for: Resilient. The True Heart of a Clown is filled with resillience, as he is able to perform, present and play off as well as to the audience. Through the skill of reading the audience, he can entertain improvisationally, touching hearts with a special message for each audience member.
“T” stands for: True. The True Heart of a Clown is filled with truth and communicates it with truthfulness: in the message, in the method, in the performance — therefore, the effect, the message rings with truthfulness. This fact is evidenced throught the history of clowning. A prime example if the court jester, who in medieval times told truths, even about the king without losing his head!
The True Heart of a Clown is Evident:
Hospital or caring clowns seek to promote healing humor in the healthcare setting for patients, visitors and staff. Humanitarian clowns seek to spread joy and hope to as many hearts as possible, throughout the world.
Sometimes the True Heart of a Clown is exemplified by someone in their hospital bed, from a wheelchair, or a most unexpected place!
Remember the True Heart of a Clown is not always represented by one wearing clown makeup, or an outfit intended to be ‘funny’ in appearance.
No offense intended, but…
This may surprise some folks — maybe even offend — to know that in essence they too, are also “clowns.”
In actuality, no one should be offended… for you see, to be a clown is to be “human.”
All of the elements listed above are really what a human heart needs to have.
The bottomline is this:
“Love” is the universal language so needed in this world. Just look around, and you can see this truth.
A smile is understood by all, no matter what language is spoken.
A compassionate act is received with understanding, no words needed — really.
My wish for You: May you always Live in Truth and Love in Truth.
My Heart to Yours,
Becky
Article excerpted from the book written by Becky Cortino: From the Heart: Inspirations, Issues & Asides – Wisdom & Words from the True Heart of a Clown, From the Trenches: Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting
Encore: Hear this message on AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show recorded broadcast, by clicking this link (here)
For More Information on: How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Creative Ministry Guide companion online webinar mentioned in this audio, click on this link (here)
(Note: “40 Fun Fab Ways to Add Humor to Your Everyday” eBook mentioned in this broadcast is no longer available for download on AHeart4Clowning.com)
What is a hospital clown? A caring clown?
Let me count the ways…
A hospital clown, caring clown or healthcare family entertainer is like a Valentine…
Representing Compassion… Caring… Love.
Never foisted upon anyone…
Rather, offered open-handedly — their gift of Joy and Wonder.
Transcends barriers: hearing, sight, speaks all languages — to the heart.
Presented by a Heart Strong and True; nobly intent to deliver Happiness…
Recipient considers; if chosen, embraces the moment whole-heartedly.
The Gift is offered in a way as if to say, “I could, if you want, entertain you…
…let’s whisk you away for just a moment, from this place.
For a time, forget the pain you’re feeling, sadness, loneliness, suffering.
Replace it with Joy, Laughter, Humor – Love. Hold it in your heart. Remember. Always and Forever.
It’s a Gift freely given. No strings attached. It’s just for you, I offer this…”
Love, pure Love.
In a recent visit to The Big Apple Circus website, we discovered this very cool video — thought you might enjoy seeing these pediatric clowning adventures…
We were thrilled to discover several A Heart 4 Clowning videos were featured on the Big Apple Circus site! More about that here (click this link)
Recently, we became aware that some of our A Heart 4 Clowning videos are featured on the Big Apple Circus website! How cool is that?!
Checking around there, we discovered many very good, inspiring hospital clown and caring clown-related videos: http://videos.bigapplecircus.org/
Several A Heart 4 Clowning videos featured on the Big Apple Circus site!
Featured A Heart 4 Clowning video when we popped by the site was: http://www.aheart4clowning.com/2010/11/08/share-your-heart-your-gift-makes-the-world-better/
Totally loving this inter-connectedness offered through sharing via social media and new web features! Personally, we believe this where we should all have always been — open, networking and networked. No one has THE ‘corner on the market,’ and through sharing we all learn and can all do a better job!
Unfortunately even in this niche, such has not always been the case. Still today, we hear stories of how folks in our world of caring clowning and hospital clowns remain reserved, semi-closed and highly-selective about what and with whom they will share. Even when folks have paid them money to attend their training sessions, coming with a heart to learn, they remain closed-out. This makes us wonder — why?!
We have been able to help others make connections and find programs, training, information. If we can help you, please let us know how.
This website has been maintained since 2007 with the sole purpose of encouraging and inspiring hospital clowns, caring clowns and healthcare family entertainers — NO “secrets” here! We broadcast on AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show, AHeart4Clowning TV, and have published books and loads of multimedia on the subject to help anyone interested in this work that looks like play, based on nearly 14 years of actual hands-on experience. Our message and media remain unique.
Stay connected and don’t miss a thing! Register to receive the largest FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker Newsletter (electronic), sign-up available on this page
Listen to Big Apple Circus co-founder Michael Christensen interview with host Becky Cortino on AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show, click this link (here)
To Encourage & Inspire Touching Hearts thru the Arts!
My heartfelt mission is: Helping to Prepare, Equip & Train those with the True Heart of a Clown to inject Healing Humor into the Hospital or Healthcare Setting, as a Hospital/Caring or Therapeutic Clown, Healthcare Family Entertainer, Applied Humor Therapist… or to establish a Hospital/Healthcare Humor Program!
I’ve written prescriptions and provided the tools for those of us at the Grassroots Level (that’s you ‘n me, by the way!) to use. You can pick from a whole array, choosing the most palatable form that’s easiest for you to digest. This way, you can make best use of the material, according to your own situation or group plans!
My books, audio/video products, and multimedia are geared for all levels of experience. Everything is written in a down-to-earth style, based upon hands-on experience from a me-and-you perspective, not from a Corporate Ivory Tower How-to, or pontificating upon the multitude of minutiae you must always keep in mind, that will forever hold you back from sharing laughter and joy in the healthcare setting.
Don’t miss out on oodles of FREE Resources! Since publishing my first book in 2007, I have freely been offering loads of insight, information and cool ideas here to help you — so be sure to check around my AHeart4Clowning.com site, and sign up to receive our newsletter to keep updated!
Make 2011 your best year ever for Massive Healing Humor Injections! Everyone’s waiting for you…