Tag-Archive for » Pediatric Clowning «
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
Recently, I wrote an article on 7 Reasons Why Healthcare Facilities Need a Humor Program. The message must have resonated, based on the response. It’s not surprising, because the core concept itself is endearing to the majority of the public.
It is indeed a heartwarming thought of hospital clowns cheering sick children, or healthcare family entertainers performing for ailing patients. Without a doubt, such selfless acts are noble efforts. It’s easy to figure that through the freely-offered gift of heart, spirits are lifted and patient’s days are brightened. Perhaps that’s the ‘easy’ part to calculate in this formula.
Based upon documented fact and reliable research, the medical community recognizes and embraces the health benefits of applied humor therapy, and even encourages it. However, so many hospitals still have no Humor Program in place… leaving us to wonder – why? It couldn’t be for lack of willing volunteers, because in our trips and travels, we have met many experienced clowns and family entertainers wishing with all their hearts to spread laughter and cheer in the healthcare venue, if only given an opportunity and the necessary facility training.
Benefits of a healthcare Humor Program are far-reaching, even beyond the obvious health effects and spirit-lifting offered to patients, visitors and staff. In fact, in considering establishing a Humor Program, it is possible some related positive side effects might otherwise be missed in the big picture view amidst the flurry of planning and activity.
In the process, hospitals and healthcare facilities that establish a Humor Program may experience at least some of the following benefits for their own organization:
1) Build a reputation as a caring facility: Going that extra mile by offering something really special and totally unexpected — and not to mention different from all the other area hospitals!
2) Recognized as taking a personal approach: By providing a means for good will ambassadors to do some great PR, create smiles and happy memories that will last a long time in the hearts and minds that are touched by a special performance or gentle presence.
3) Receive a lot of promotional value and mileage: Through the positive, uplifting experiences provided purely as an ‘extra’ through a special service, given as a gesture of good will and shared freely and equally with all, throughout the facility on a regular basis.
4) Great good will and excellent community relations are cemented: When a Humor Program is well-executed, performs on a regular basis and becomes known for this ‘work’ that-looks like “play” — it is positively memorable.
Certainly quality patient care is the greatest concern of any healthcare facility. A Humor Program in tandem with and supportive of the hosting organization serves as good will abassadors, and part of the wellness team through boosting immune systems and brightening the environment. Establishing a Humor Program is a winning combination for any forward-thinking healthcare entity wanting to set themselves apart from other facilities, and building positive reputation in the process.
Does your healthcare facility have a Humor Program?
Whatever stage of development or operation your Humor Program may be, there are lots of articles, resources, and links included on this site to assist. Please feel free to explore and check out what is offered here to help the cause of injecting Healing Humor in the healthcare setting.
Receive information to help you in this effort, by signing up here to receive free updates (click on this link here)
Here is a recommended book on Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting
Michael Christensen, Founder of Big Apple Circus Clown Care
All eyes will be on Center Ring at AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show on Wednesday, May 12th 1:00PM EDT, for a very special interview with Michael Christensen, Co-Founder and Creative Director of the Big Apple Circus and Founder of Big Apple Circus Clown Care. Big Apple Circus Clown Care, acknowledged as the first and original hospital clowning program in the world, was launched in 1986. The program is based on Michael’s desire to provide a unique service to children undergoing treatment in pediatric facilities. He will share his insights on hospital clowning and entertaining in the healthcare setting.
He has taught workshops all over the world in the new profession of hospital clowning, which his work has inspired. He has also lectured to the medical communities of the nation’s major pediatric hospitals. For his work with Clown CareSM, Michael has received the Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award, the Red Skelton Community Service Award, the Golden Nose award from the Northeast Clown Convention, the Parenting Achievement Award from Parenting magazine, and was inducted into the Ambassador David M. Walters International Pediatric Hall of Fame.
The show airs live at 1:00PM EDT Thursday, May 12th, will be recorded and available for download from the show archive. Tune in for insight and inspiration!
You can set a “show reminder” and listen online here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aheart4clowningtalkradio/2010/05/12/big-apple-circus-clown-care-with-michael-christensen
Listen to the show streaming L-I-V-E, or catch this show after the broadcast, from the archive.
Jeannie Lindheim as Bloopers
AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Special Interview with Jeannie Lindheim
All eyes turn to Center Ring, as the Big Top spotlight at AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show broadcasts a very special guest interview with Jeannie Lindheim, Founder and Creative Director of “Jeannie Lindheim Hospital Clown Troupe” in the Boston area – now known as “Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe.”
When one thinks of the “Art” and “Joy” inherent in Hospital Clowning, the importance of improvisation integral to performances Hospital and Caring Clowns give, and the attention to detail, Jeannie Lindheim’s name most often comes to mind.
Author of “The Art and Joy of Hospital Clowning” Training Program now in 23 countries, Jeannie, has conducted over 100 regional and national workshops for primary care and specialty physician groups. She has also taught acting, movement, improvisation, creativity, auditioning, characterization techniques for the past 30 years at a variety of educational institutions.
Jeannie Lindheim has received numerous honors, and taken her specialty outside the hospital walls. Following Hurricane Katrina, Jeannie went to Houston where she did 1,100 ‘by the cot’ visits to clown and support those who had been evacuated from New Orleans.
And, there’s SO much more! The show airs live at 1:00PM EDT Thursday, April 8th, will be recorded and available for download from the show archive. Plan to join us for experienced insight and inspiration!
Listen to the show streaming L-I-V-E, or catch this show after the broadcast, from the archive.
Follow the Big Top spotlight to find AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show on Monday, March 15th at 10:30AM PT/12:30 CT/1:30PM ET L-I-V-E, as host Becky “CarroTop Rainbo” Cortino interviews special guest Cheryl “Tic Toc” Lekousi, exceutive director of Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe in the Boston area.
Cheryl Lekousi ‘officially’ added hospital clowning to her life in 1999, although it seems to be a bit of a family legacy. Her ‘day job’ as a playgroup teacher for preschool children in her own inclusive program was a natural fit.
Clowning for children in many Boston area hospitals led to clowning at area events for ill and disabled children such as the Special Olympics and Why Me? Kids with cancer. In 2005, Cheryl became the executive director of the newly-focused “Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troupe,” formerly-known as “Jeannie Lindheim’s Hospital Clown Troupe.” She added artistic director to her job description the following year.
In this Center Ring interview, Cheryl will share how she was first introduced to and drawn into Caring Clowning, her ‘work,’ and the 4 areas “Hearts and Noses” now concentrate their efforts on, after the group’s recent refocus. Got questions? Call-in or join the chat and text-in your questions during the show!
Catch the show streaming L-I-V-E, or catch this show after the broadcast, from the archive.