Tag-Archive for » Wonder «
Did you ever wonder what Patch Adams was really like? Would you like to catch a glimpse of his 110-acres in West Virginia, where he is beginning construction of his 40-bed free-care rural community hospital, a long-held dream at the Gesundheit Institute? This short documentary preview clip distributed by Bullfrog Films gives a peek…
I was very fortunate to personally speak with Patch Adams after my first book was published. He so very kindly called to congratulate me on it. His words were deeply meaningful, and his thoughtfulness is forever treasured.
Hearing Patch’s positive, encouraging words for my book and work mean so much to me, and remain a “Most Memorable Moment.”
Through the implementation of his ideas of applied humor therapy in the healthcare setting, I believe he paved the way for many of us to be able to share laughter and to “be” Joy (his words) in that venue — an environment crying out for it!
It is my sincere hope through my efforts here, my books, AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show, Humor Bit-TV, and multimedia training programs, will encourage more healthcare humor programs, while also supporting existing programs everywhere — to keep injecting humor in the healthcare setting.
Read about friend Robbo’s Humanitarian Clowning Trip with Patch Adams to Russia:
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You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here) Always and only FREELY offered since 2007, AHeart4Clowning e-Newsletter is filled with FUN ideas, tips, inspiring stories and updates!
That’s right! Absolutely NOTHING… and it’s pretty drab, boring, downright cheerless, and probably depressing — for everyone. Don’t let this happen! Add color, smiles and cheer to the healthcare setting near you — TODAY.
“Healing Humor is NOT a Band Aid — it’s a Way of Life.
It’s for EveryBuddy!” ~ Becky Cortino
REMEMBER: A Smile is a terrible thing to waste.
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Resources and other Great Stuff to help you:
5 Related articles you might find helpful are listed below this blog post (click on the title of this article, if you don’t see topics listed below)…
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Resources – Guides on: How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Healthcare Family Entertainer Group, and Entertaining in the Healthcare Setting, click this linked text (here)
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You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here)
—Share Miles of Smiles: Funny Smilemakerz Kit for Smiles on a Stick and Endless Smiles—
My Road or the Highway?! Entertaining Effectively in the Healthcare Setting...
I would suppose from the other side of the clown nose, in the healthcare setting, things look a little differently than as to those of us entertaining children of all ages, behind the world’s tiniest mask, as a hospital clown.
Now as I think about it, probably it also seems counter-intuitive that we are in fact performing as a family entertainer, sharing laughter, cheer and applying generous doses of humor wherever our meandering trail leads us that day in the hospital or healthcare setting, in the midst of all the sickness, sadness, uncertainty and death.
Ahhhhh! Such is the divinely topsy-turvy world of the hospital clown, caring clown, healthcare family entertainer! How perfect a setting, especially due to the very nature of the clown, where inside-out, upside-down, and what is — in actuality — is quite apparently not. See…?!
“Flexibility” is the name of The Game, as those clown shoes meander into each room and public space of the hosting facility:
- Each situation encountered is always entirely different from the last or the next, making profuse applications of “Improv” absolutely essential. (Expect this and you won’t be so surprised lol)
- With varying patient’s conditions and ongoing staff intervention of treatments and procedures, it is not always possible to complete each schtick or sight gag performance in its entirety. (Remain flexible, and you won’t disappoint.)
- Procedures and policies change, and new ones are often implemented, changing things-up for hospital clowns and healthcare family entertainers. (Deal with it — roll with the changes.)
- It is not appropriate for the hospital clown, caring clown or healthcare family entertainer to set about their work that looks like play with a mind only focused on their “work.” The true goal or mission of what they’re about isn’t really the ‘work’ at all — it’s all about the audience. (Keep the audience in focus, always in mind, as you entertain.)
We know it is said “For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required,” and truer than true this could not be, for those of us so blessed with the privilege of spreading goodhearted laughter, cheer and Joy in the hospital or healthcare setting.
In the process of what we do, we are often allowed into a space where few are allowed or tread. That is hallowed ground indeed, where we cast away all that is, ignore our cares and fears, leading those who we meet right there to a place of Joy and Wonder of what might be — could be — is.
All very counterintuitive, you might think?
Thinking not: it all depends upon your perspective.
5 Related articles you might find helpful are listed below this blog post (click on the title of this article, if you don’t see topics listed below)…
NEWly-published book especially for Hospital Clowns, Caring Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers, Applied Humor Therapists and SmileMakers, about entertaining in the healthcare setting (click on this linked text): Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting: Entertaining Effectively in the Healthcare Venue
You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here)
AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show
Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities offer Critical Care through Healing Humor Programs at low-to-NO-cost, Build a Priceless Caring Reputation — and it is NOT Rocket Science! Here’s why… Does your hospital or healthcare facility have a Humor Program?
Entertaining in the Moment with AHeart4Clowning
As performers in the hospital or healthcare setting, our focus is on the patient. Because we’re constantly sizing up our audience’s situation, looking for ways to empower them, easing their discomfort, while gently applying generous doses of healing humor – improvisation is the most effective mode of delivery.
This is a key element, and why “skits” don’t work in the one-on-one healthcare venue. ‘Schticks,’ tricks, sight gags, and other portable components that can be pulled out of your hat, from your sleeve, and plugged-in anywhere at any time are invaluable and if appropriately used, can be effective.
Entertaining in the Moment is the most effective way to dispense Healing Humor, as an Applied Humor Therapist. Otherwise, if we are so busy ”performing,” we miss the all-important connection with the patient, and the flight to that Place of Joy and Wonder. For this reason, I call the act of Entertaining in the Moment “The Sweet Spot.”
Two related articles you might enjoy (in addition to 5 listed below…):
Hospital Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers: Which Comes First: The Patient or the Act?
Hospital Clowns and Healthcare Family Entertainers Perform for Children of All Ages
(TIP: Click on the title of this post, if you want to read but do not see the additional list of 5 Related posts…)
What is a Hospital Clown? What about pediatric clowning?
Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe shares a glimpse inside…
Hearts & Noses final cut from Robert Sinrod on Vimeo.
Cheryl Lekousi, Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe Executive and Artistic Director was a special guest on AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show
Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe
(TIP: Click on the title of this post, if you want to read other related stories, but don’t see list of 5 Related posts…)
Laguna Woods Caring Clowns
Clowning in An Adult Day Care Facility
by Bubbles the Clown
“The clowns are here” are the words spoken as the Caring Clowns from Laguna Woods Senior Clown Alley joyfully enter the South County Day Care facility for adults. Excitement begins to fill the air. At the instant those words are spoken, the senior citizens are engaged in the monthly entertainment that the clowns provide. A lively march played on kazoos, greets the participants in the day care program. Waves, enthusiastic smiles, giggles and laughter spread throughout the room, as the participants enjoy the bright colors and fun costumes, while clowns parade around the room shaking hands and greeting each one.
Laguna Woods Senior Clown Alley is located in Laguna Woods, California and is a volunteer alley made up of senior citizens. There are approximately 50 clowns in the alley. We participate in community events, fundraisers, hospital visits, and entertain at the South County Day Care facility. The center serves around 80 senior citizens who enjoy the socialization and activities that they receive at the facility. Our caring clown troupe consists of about 13 clowns who have dedicated themselves to giving something back to these delightful senior citizens. Our goal is to bring joy to our audience and also give them opportunities to interact and exercise and have some fun times going down memory lane.
The clowns prepare a new program each month and try to plan around a theme related to holidays or seasons. For example, the April theme was about spring. We had fun with songs like Singing In the Rain, Easter Parade, and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. We did a rainbow skit and pulled out a long rainbow streamer that stretched across the room. December was especially fun when we sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and then transformed everyone into Rudolph by giving red noses to all.
Our program has increased from being just a kazoo band to now including skits, games, exercises and of course, singing. Clowns enter playing and singing the song of the month and we also exit with the same song. After making our grand entrance, we introduce ourselves clown style and sing the well-known “The More We Get Together” We usually sing each song twice because we found it helps with participation. We include games like the Freeze Game, Name That Tune and short skits. Puppets are always a big hit too.
After we have completed the theme, we conclude with requested old favorites. Almost always, Take Me Out To The Ball Game is requested. We sing it twice and as we do, we toss around huge trash bags that have been blown up and tied like a balloon. They love to keep those huge balloons up in the air and tossed around the room. The program ends with the song of the month and waving goodbye, blowing kisses and promises to be back next month.
After the clowns exit, we quickly reflect on the glow we feel, we sigh happily knowing we have made a difference today…. and then start thinking about next month’s plans.
Thanks so much for sharing Laguna Woods Caring Clowns Senior Clown Alley’s joy-filled experiences with us Bubbles, so appreciated! In reading your story, I remember when your group began their Kazoo Band… I had the privilege and joy of personally meeting Bubbles and her husband while in California, when I presented on “How to Establish a Hospital Clown or or Healthcare Family Entertainer Group – Train, Prepare, Equip” at the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor.
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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!
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!
Click here for Mentorship: Performing for Children of all Ages in the Healthcare Setting!
As professionals, we have to use filters to decide what things are most appropriate for the audience we entertain, don’t we? Many choices…
Recently, a friend and colleague of mine talked with me about some training presented on entertaining in the hospital venue. We discussed that while many types of performances were presented as possibilities, the individual performer in the unique performance situation they find themselves in, would dictate the actual entertainment and presentation.
Even taking the same or similar prop, but — using it in a different way, with different patter, changes the presentation, making it more geared for the audience — or maybe, not at all. We have to decide. Sometimes we have to decide while in the moment.
I view entertaining in the hospital as performing for ‘children of all ages.’ Of course, entertaining children means realizing their perspective on things obviously differs from a grown-up’s point of view. Even the age of the child radically changes an entertainer’s approach and performance.
However, in entertaining patients in the healthcare setting, I have often found them to be much more receptive to the Wonder and Joy a hospital clown can bring in to their room, no matter what their age may be. That is why I think when we set clown foot in the healthcare setting, we must bring with us the fun and laughter to spread Joy in that space and time.
While there are countless choices of sight gags, props and schticks we can perform, we must first carefully consider the audience. Even if a professional presented a bag of great bits at a training program we attended, it is always up to the conscientious and consummate professional hospital/caring clown or healthcare family entertainer to use filters, in deciding what things are most appropriate for the audience we entertain, one patient – one group, at a time.
5 Related articles you might find helpful are listed below this blog post (click on the title of this article, if you don’t see topics listed below)…
>>>NEWly-published book especially for Hospital Clowns, Caring Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers, Applied Humor Therapists and SmileMakers, about entertaining in the healthcare setting (click on this linked text): Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting: Entertaining Effectively in the Healthcare Venue
>>>You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here)
Debbie “LaDitzy” Fowler recently returned from a wonder-full clowning adventure in India ”International Clown Festival India 2010.” Here is a fabulous video about their exciting humanitarian clowning adventures:
In “LaDitzy’s” words:
“It was truly a once in a lifetime experience for me. When I began clowning about eight years ago I had no idea what opportunities and doors it would open for me. I just figured I would be doing some children’s birthday parties and nursing home visits, with maybe eventually hospital clowning.
But here I am – a world traveler and global entertainer. Haha. That’s a stretch – but still – wow, I would never have dreamed it.
The people I have met in my clowning have to be one of the highlights of this career. I only clown part-time because I care for three young toddler grandchildren full-time, and also have a special needs son at home. My husband has been great in supporting me in this endeavor and steps to the plate when I can’t be here – but he has some health concerns and I don’t want to ask of him more than he can give. So I’m content to do it when I can, for now.
India. It was the brightest of the bright and the darkest of the dark. We saw the most expensive home in the world – from a distance, and a few blocks away such poverty. People sleeping in the streets. The fact that we were able to bring laughter to so many was so humbling.
I really felt it the most when we performed for a large group of street children. We had bodyguards to keep them from us. I don’t think it would have been necessary. They were so well-behaved. Children are children and they love to laugh. They were curious but not at one time was I nervous of them. I wanted to squeeze and hug them all!
Another experience that I will never forget is when we performed at a school where there were a lot of orphans. The teachers had such control on those students they were afraid to make noise! I wanted to tell those teachers let them be kids! But I know they enjoyed us being there – so I was glad for that.
Another experience for me was when we visited a hospital. The reason they invited us there was to draw attention to the dire conditions and hopefully get more donations for the hospital. The people of India are such well-mannered people. Their customs, while different, are special to them. Serving cake by your fingers to their mouth was something unusual for me. But I understood right away it was an honor to do so.
Martin D’Souza, our host, couldn’t have been more generous in his treatment of us! We were definitely made to feel like celebrities. I could go on and on and on. I met Martin at Clown Camp in 2004. We’ve kept in contact over the years through clown friends in Winnipeg. Martin wanted to bring awareness of the art of clowning to the people of India. That clowns are more than a circus act! I believe his dream was realized and he plans to hold more festivals in the future.”
Thanks for sharing, “LaDitzy” — SO glad our meandering, Joy-filled paths have crossed!
For More Information (click on linked text):
International Clown Festival India
*Formed 3 years ago when Richard Snowberg announced that Clown Camp in La Crosse would be ending a group of us did not want to see this education, fun and sharing end…