Tag-Archive for » Healing Power of Joy «
Here is a great video on Smile Project Montreal, featuring Pam Wener, Certified Laughter Leader:
Total coolness!
Isn’t this a great-fun video?! Seeing Pam share our Funny Smiles at The Smile Project Montreal makes us smile! How totally FUN and completely wonderful to see her sharing Smiles and laughter, as she does! Crowd reactions are absolutely priceless and precious.
The colored craft sticks Pam uses are way cool FUN, too — great idea!
It’s heartwarming to see Miles of Smiles appearing all over the world YaY
What a thrill to have our Funny Smiles touching so many hearts!
Miles of Smiles — it’s a simple idea really, isn’t it?! It’s all about the idea — a simple-simple concept. Let’s hope this becomes a true epidemic!
Join the Miles of Smiles Campaign — Smile project — share a Funny Smile!
Get your own Funny Smile Makerz Kit here: http://www.aheart4clowning.com/funny-smile-makerz/
When appearing in the healthcare setting, a good deal of what entertainers do for patients is to empower them. This is done in several ways as part of the performance, gently offered in a 2-step process:
- Initially, allowing the patient to decide if they would like to have a clown or entertainer enter their room for a visit. Ask the patient’s permission first, before entering their room. Remember — they are in the hospital, and you are likely the only person they can refuse or tell “no.” Allow them that blessing. Their refusal to see you is not meant as a personal reaction to you, but it is a deeply personal decision to them. Since they are in the hospital, you are likely the only person they can refuse or tell “no.” The whole permission request step is empowering to the patient because they are the ones to decide.
- Pulling patients into the act, as an integral part of the performance allows them to become involved in the activity however they may be able. This helps break the monotony and dispels pervading sadness, while whisking them away to a lighter place for this moment in time. Participating in an act may be as simple as completely directing the ’scene’ (”stop,” “go,” “yes,” “no,” etc.). I recommend no hands-on activities (by the patients), but that is up to your hosting healthcare facility. Some hospitals allow this type of entertaining, and their policies, procedures and hygiene protocol should be followed.
As you can see, the whole concept of figuratively putting the patient into Center Ring for the performance (or not) is all about them — not us, as entertainers. Our performance is completely based upon their decisions, preferences and choices. Following this strategy not only gives the patient a lighter moment but allows them the grace of personal empowerment to decide and take an active part (or not) in the process.
In the healthcare setting, the patient is the star performer! As the hospital or caring clowns or healthcare family entertainers serve up a tasty feast of fabulous fun, let us always remember this wonderful motto:
“Have it their way!”
Related Post: Hospital Clowns/Healthcare Family Entertainers: Which Comes First: the Patient or the Act?
Join us on AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show on Thursday, June 17 at 1PM EDT, 10AM PT, Noon CT, for a JOY-filled interview with Nikki Jackman, founding Cheerlady of The UPliftment Programme (also known as “The UP”) in South Africa, with the purpose of “sharing the healing power of JOY.”
The UP is a not-for-profit organization rooted in South Africa since 2003. They share JOY through Care Clowning, Community Laughter & Corporate JOY Sessions. Nikki Jackman is the founding Cheerlady of The UP – she’s an actress/ voice artist and joy activist – committed to balancing her acting career with building and sharing JOY with all… she will share encouraging and inspiring insight and tell us about the many facets of The UP program and the healing power of JOY!
You can set a “show reminder” and listen online here:
Listen to the show streaming L-I-V-E, or catch this show after the broadcast, from the archive.