Options / Medical Clowning - Ariella Badler
As we approach the halfway mark of our IST trip, we were given the opportunity of choosing an option to participate in. Myself and 21 others selected medical clowning, and were blessed with the experience of bringing smiles and laughter to the young children in hospital; as well as learning and clowning with our clown mentor ‘Dush’ (David).
Initially, I thought that medical clowning would be attempting to make kids laugh by dressing up strangely and doing weird actions. I will admit, I had little faith in my ability to do medical clowning. I was convinced that I would end up making the kids cry, as I wouldn’t be able to talk to them, and none of the children would want us around. However, as soon as we began medical clowning, my assumptions and negative mindset were rebutted. With the help of bubbles, the sound of the children’s laughter and seeing them smile was the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had.
For three days, we participated in workshops that prepared us for clowning. The workshops gave us an insight into the perspective of those who have a medical condition, and how it impacts those around them. From Dush’s experience with medical clowning (an impressive 25 years), we learnt what medical clowning is, and how to clown. The workshops enabled us to grasp an understanding into the importance of being open minded and having a positive mindset; all necessary for this role. After the workshops (and a quick food stop at the shopping centre), we would go the hospital and clown for the young patients.
On our first day, we began with meeting up with Dush, who educated us on the importance of clowning, and did activities which consisted of the elements of medical clowning. Later, we arrived at the Hadassah Hospital, and got a general idea of what medical clowning would be like. Regardless of the language barriers, we played and interacted with the patients, and grasped an idea of the environment that we would return to, over the course of three days.
On the second day, we continued with the workshop activities, and expanded our knowledge on medical clowning. We returned back to the same hospital, and had the opportunity to get to know the patients better. We interacted with children from a range of ages, and got smiles, hugs and laughter out of them. Myself and a friend spent much of our time with a young girl called Basima, in which we quickly learnt that bubbles makes her very happy.
On our last day, we participated in a short workshop with Dush, and visited the hospital and the children for the last time. We got to see some patients leave the hospital, and brought them gifts. We ended off our medical clowning experience with a reflection. Only then did it really hit me - the fact that I could make these children’s day through something as simple as laughter; made me have such an appreciation for life and this incredible opportunity.
Speaking on behalf of those who did medical clowning, we are so grateful for this opportunity, as it has enabled us to deepen our appreciation for every aspect of life. After seeing the children in hospital, hearing and watching them smile and laugh, we have all grown as individuals and can understand the positive impacts medical clowning has on those in hospital. This experience has provided us with immense gratitude and fulfilment.
As I personally reflect on this amazing opportunity, I decided to end off with Dush’s quote that echoes the purpose of medical clowning: “In the eyes of the world I am just somebody. In the eyes of somebody I am the entire world.”
