Archive for the Category »Therapuetic Clown «
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…
If you cannot view the embeded video here (directly below), click this link, to watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MkHqNk7_Wg
After viewing this vid, if you are aware of another hospital clown certification program, please share the information by leaving the 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.youtube.com/watch?v=SU0VTsNrOJM
'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…
Performers sometimes must change their tune! On rounds, often -- if not always, patients inspire!
On rounds, often — if not always, patients inspire! They inspire the perfect joke, schtick or new thought. Coming from the audience’s perspective, this precious insight helps the hospital or caring clown, and healthcare family entertainer do their important work. You know – the ‘work’ that looks like ‘play,’ — as in Applied Humor Therapy.
Longtime entertainers in the hospital or healthcare setting have many memorable moments resulting from captivating folk they meet throughout their meandering journey. These stories and experiences leave indelible heartprints. After the chance encounter, we are never the same, and are immeasurably blessed…
We entered his room gently. He welcomed us in with warm resolution to enjoy this most unexpected visit. He propped himself up for a better view of the spectacle about to take place — that being our meager offering of a performance we tailor to our perceived patient’s receptivity and condition.
After introducing our clown-selves and chatting on a bit, we offered some random fun, as an interlude to the dull sameness surrounding him in his hospital room. My clown partner-not-in-mime plays song requests on her handcrafted kazoo instrument. Upon finishing her piece, he was visibly touched.
The patient shared with us that he couldn’t see so well out of one eye and was blind in the other. He concentrated hard on seeing us, and he heard us just fine! While he didn’t fill us in on what brought him into the hospital, he shared that the experience had led him to see things differently, now. In fact so differently, he knew major life changes were about to take place. He expressed his openess to these changes, embracing them as what he will do for the rest of his life. He shared with us that he did not know where this would take him in this world, but he would go and serve, and do whatever it was to be.
This really touched our hearts, because when we visit patients, they are usually in a dark place, facing test results, surgery, or scary medical procedures. What struck us was that no matter what this gentleman had been through, he was facing a Great Unknown once out of the hospital — and welcoming it! We had a wonderful conversation, and he shared with us his heart-thoughts and thanked us for what we do. He said it means more to others than we would ever know.
Words of patients stay in our hearts and minds a long time — they mean so much. To see a patient so bravely face a totally new life once discharged from the hospital after an obvious life-changing experience, is awe-inspiring!
Do you have a Most memorable Caring Clown Story to share? We would love to hear and share your experience here on AHeart4Clowning.com! Wanta share your story? For submission details, click this link (here)
Back by popular demand!
Put your best clown foot forward!
Clown shoes are the finishing touch to a well-designed look. In the hospital or healthcare setting, a costume as well as the shoes should be scaled-down to fit the venue or performance space.
Often in the hospital setting, the majority of entertaining is done on the world’s smallest stage — one-on-one at the patient’s bedside. This means traditional oversized clown shoes are usually inappropriate — possibly even hazardous with the maze of cords, tubes and equipment surrounding the performance area.
There are many ways to put your best clown foot forward – with color and style, while not breaking your piggy bank in doing so! One of the coolest solutions we have found is shopping online with “6pm,” a division of Zappos. They feature an incredible array of shoes and great buys!
Sneakers and athletic shoe styles offer colorful choices, different styles and prices. Based on our experience, we have found Converse high-tops and regular-style athletic shoes in some amazing colors, designs and combinations to be just the ticket for our clowns and characters.
Hygiene is always a concern in the healthcare setting, so it is important the shoes are also easily washable.
In addition to a great, fresh and fun look, the added benefit to the performer wearing these shoes is comfort. In the hospital, entertainers do a lot of walking on Clown Rounds!
Here is the link for 6pm.com: http://6pm.com
This site is so cool! To help you make a selection, a useful “search” feature helps you narrow your choice down, from their ever-refreshing voluminous inventory!
A Word to the Wise: if you find a shoe you like, be sure to purchase it when you see it. This site features super deals, with the aim to sell, so the inventory moves quickly. Otherwise, you may be disappointed to find the size and style you wanted is no longer available.
How about you? Have you discovered or used a clever way to create clown shoes for your clown or character? Please leave a comment and share with us what you did…
Please NOTE: The “6pm.com” and “Zappos” websites are NOT an affiliate links. Absolutely NO funds, referral credits or money is generated by your transaction, if you click through. This TIP is provided, with the hope that it is useful information, and heartfelt desire to help equip, the whole reason for this website…
Here is the link for 6pm.com: http://6pm.com
Applied Humor in the healthcare setting has tangible benefits!
Therapeutic Clowns are gathering in Toronto this week to learn more about delivering Applied Humor Therapy through clown arts in the healthcare venue!
Here is an insightful interview dicsussing the health benefits of healing humor by CTVglobemedia with Dr. Peter Spitzer aka “Dr. Froot Loop,” a medical doctor from Australia and co-founder of The Humour Foundation, and Fools for Health founder “Dr. Haven’t a Clue,” professor Bernie Warren of Canada, on this week’s conference and tangible research-based results of Applied Humor Therapy:
Click on this link here, to view the online interview…
Take-away Points from this great interview:
- Therapeutic Clown’s Perspective is what’s “right” in the situation.
- The Applied Humor Therapy is referred to as “Open Heart” Sugery.
- Today, there are thousands of clowns doing this important work around the world!