Section 10: “Clownclusion”

 

Caring clowns are unique in a hospital or nursing home setting in that they ask nothing of their audience.  Caring clowns are not there to see how the patient is feeling or to inquire about what they ate, or to poke and prod the patient with medical equipment.  Instead, caring clowns offer an opportunity for the patient or resident to escape reality by participating or by just sitting back and watching a bit of silliness occur.

You may never know what kind of an influence you have had as a caring clown.  Anyone who has clowned in a hospital or nursing home will tell you that it has been a warm and welcome experience.  Although a caring clown does not set out to seek feedback, there are often smiles and giggles heard around a clown and clowns are generally received with open arms.  There will be times, however, when you will have made an effort to provide cheer or make a connection and will not know whether or not you have succeeded.  Patients/residents may not recognize that you are a clown or that you have even been there.  Sometimes, you will only receive feedback after a visit from a family or staff member.  But this does not matter.  As a caring clown, you will derive great satisfaction from spreading joy and promoting humor and laughter and providing an opportunity for someone to escape their physical or emotional pain.

In a recent phone conversation I had with Shobi Dobi, she said: “If hospital administrators could spend one hour looking out of the eyes of a hospital clown, there would be a clown in every hospital.”  Caring clowns are an asset to hospital and nursing home settings.   Follow your clown nose and heart and allow humor to happen.  Being a caring clown is a wonderful and rewarding experience.  Go out and spread the love and the laughter!