Japan Clinic Clowns Association Inspires Kids
David Tharp
The Nippon Foundation
The Nippon Foundation
Indepth Articles
[Oct. 14, 2008]
Hospitalization can be a frightening experience for anyone, especially children.
It is important for hospital staff to find ways to support kids emotionally and psychologically.
One way to achieve this is to call in the clowns -- clinic clowns, that is, proving that laughter is the best medicine.
Ever since the 1998 film Patch Adams, based on the true life story of Dr Hunter "Patch" Adams, who combined medical treatment of children with zany humor and a red clown's nose, the "Patch Adams" concept of making a child's stay in hospital more pleasant has spread around the world. Dr Adams found that children's health improved dramatically when they laughed.
Now, several countries have established non-profit organizations (NPO) that regularly send volunteer clowns to entertain kids in the children's wards of hospitals. In Japan one such NPO is called the Japan Clinic Clowns Association (JCCA), and it is partly supported in its activities by The Nippon Foundation, as well as voluntary contributions and donations.
JCCA carefully coordinates its activities with the medical staff of hospitals where it sends its volunteer "clinic clowns," meeting with doctors and nurses to explain what they will be doing in the hospital on their visits, and taking advice from staff about kids who might need special attention.
The clowns go from bed to bed, performing tricks and bringing good cheer to the kids. The children, therefore, have a much more positive experience in hospital, in addition to reducing their fears and dread of the unfamiliar surroundings. The clinic clowns are a source not only of laughter, but they are also bring new courage and energy to the kids.
Dr. "Patch" Adams organizes a group of volunteers each year from around the world to travel to various countries where they dress as clowns, to bring hope and joy to orphans, patients, and ordinary people. In 1998 he also visited Bosnia, one of the Balkan Peninsula countries torn apart by the civil war that started after the break-up of Yugoslavia.
Adams is currently based in Arlington, Virginia, where he runs the Gesundheit! Institute. The Institute promotes a different health care model that stresses a holistic approach. He is currently attempting to establish a free, non-profit hospital in West Virginia where Western medicine and alternative medical treatment will be available to patients -- naturally, clowns included.
Clinic clowns say there is a big difference between a circus clown and a clinic clown. Circus clowns are bright, loud, colourful and very energetic. They perform a fixed program in front of a large audience. On the other hand, a clinic clown must be very sensitive to judge and react to a patient's mood and frame of mind.
It is important that the patient must see the face of a clinic clown. The clinic clown spontaneously adapts to each patient individually, and they must do this quickly as soon as the enter the patient's room, because they usually spend only about 10 minutes with each patient. The bright red "Patch's" clown nose is a clinic clown's most important prop and serves as a "laughter button".
Clinic clowns usually work in pairs, so that they can play with each other, and in doing so, this helps to get the patient to participate and join in the fun. The big reward for the clinic clown is when they see a child's eyes light up and begin to laugh.
Medically speaking, laughter releases endorphins, or so-called "happy hormones," which in turn increase the blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, and create a general feeling of well being which all contribute to the patients' recovery. The Nippon Foundation is happy to contribute to children's hospital care in this uplifting way.