Ridere fa bene
21/12/11 15:04 in: news
La metodologia professionale
di lavoro dei clown-in-corsia sviluppata da Soccorso Clown ha
dimostrato di essere efficace portando al 50 % di riduzione
dell’ansia nei bambini sottoposti a interventi chirurgici
Leggi
ancora...
Amici di Soccorso Clown
21/12/11 14:58 in: eventi
St
George’s British Int’l School of Rome
Gli studenti raccontano
At first I was interested in helping the charity “Soccorso Clown” because I was interested by these clown-actors bringing smiles and joy to unfortunate sick children. However when Diana Mori and I visited the Umberto I Policlinico di Roma to meet the founder of Soccorso Clown Vladimir Olshansky and one of the “clown ospedalieri” Paolo Scannavino, known as “Doctor Dudy” on the 17th of January we found out that there is plenty more to Soccorso Clown than there appears to be. Soccorso Clown is a small charity with only approximately 30 “clown ospedalieri”. “Clown Ospedialeri” are so much more than merely clown-actors as they go through a specific training which teaches them how to handle the sick children and specifically how to relieve their pain. Also one of the clowns of Soccorso Clown, Giovanna Pezzullo, was a runner up for the woman of the year award due to the fact she distracted a child during a Bone Marrow transplant and anaesthesia didn’t have to be used. It was proved by a study done at the Meyer Pediatric Hospital of Florence that the laughing that these clowns provoke reduces the Child’s anxiety by 50%.
We silently assisted the two clowns on their round of the surgery department and saw the clowns in action. They used specific techniques to catch the children’s attention and when they noticed that one wasn’t working they moved onto the next activity such as blowing bubbles or using puppets. They would interact with the children getting the children to join in with musical games and blowing the bubbles or making jokes. With the children whom lacked communication skills they would simply play around with the games trying to catch the child’s attention and distract them from the pain they are feeling. I was particularly touched by the great impact this process has on the children. When one thinks of clowns generally one thinks of a joke; however, these clowns bring joy and laughter to these poor suffering children and to their families. I specifically remember entering a room where the little girl was in a lot of pain and she was rejecting the clowns due to their white doctor coats; however, by the end they had caught her attention and she was no longer lying suffering in bed but dancing to the music and laughing. What struck me the most of this scene was the very grateful parent smiling at seeing his sick daughter being happy once more.
We were then allowed to ask the two clowns some questions, which was a real opportunity. Vladimir told us that he was an active member of the Clown Care Unit at the Big Apple Circus in New York and decided to bring this idea of clown doctors to Italy. Most of the clown doctors working with Soccorso Clown today have been on Soccorso Clown since it has been founded. Due to the fact that this idea was such a success many similar organisations have arisen in Italy. Vladimir was very passionate about the fact that these volunteers for these other organisations are not professionals and he feels that they are mocking his work as all the clown doctors of Soccorso Clown went through auditions and courses to do their job and for them “it’s a profession not a part-time job”. A volunteer does not have the necessary skill and sensitivity to complete this task at its best and this angered Vladimir Olshansky very much. We asked whether their work with the children always receives a positive response; and they replied that they do not leave the room until they see the child enjoy themselves and they see that their work is done. We asked the clowns whether it is difficult to stay detached from these children and how difficult it is to see these children whom they have been working with pass away. They replied that they have weekly sessions to help cope with the pain and of course eventually you become stronger, but it is still quite difficult to handle. We were also wondering where they get their inspiration and they replied that it is precisely cases like the little girl that I previously mentioned which drive them every day, seeing the difference they make to these children. When the children begin to recognise them and are happy when the clowns come in, giving them something to look forward to in the monotonous and depressing hospital life. We also asked them whether this experience helped them in any way and they replied that of course it makes you more sensible to certain matters and a more sensitive person more aware of what is happening in the world surrounding you and makes you stronger.
What I found also very shocking is that this charity organisation, along with most other Italian charity organisations, is no longer government funded. At school we have held many very successful fundraising events to raise awareness and money for this incredible charity and we invite you to support Soccorso Clown and all the amazing work it has been accomplishing throughout the years of its existence.
Nicoletta Enria e Diana Mori, St George’s British Int’l School of Rome
Gli studenti raccontano
At first I was interested in helping the charity “Soccorso Clown” because I was interested by these clown-actors bringing smiles and joy to unfortunate sick children. However when Diana Mori and I visited the Umberto I Policlinico di Roma to meet the founder of Soccorso Clown Vladimir Olshansky and one of the “clown ospedalieri” Paolo Scannavino, known as “Doctor Dudy” on the 17th of January we found out that there is plenty more to Soccorso Clown than there appears to be. Soccorso Clown is a small charity with only approximately 30 “clown ospedalieri”. “Clown Ospedialeri” are so much more than merely clown-actors as they go through a specific training which teaches them how to handle the sick children and specifically how to relieve their pain. Also one of the clowns of Soccorso Clown, Giovanna Pezzullo, was a runner up for the woman of the year award due to the fact she distracted a child during a Bone Marrow transplant and anaesthesia didn’t have to be used. It was proved by a study done at the Meyer Pediatric Hospital of Florence that the laughing that these clowns provoke reduces the Child’s anxiety by 50%.
We silently assisted the two clowns on their round of the surgery department and saw the clowns in action. They used specific techniques to catch the children’s attention and when they noticed that one wasn’t working they moved onto the next activity such as blowing bubbles or using puppets. They would interact with the children getting the children to join in with musical games and blowing the bubbles or making jokes. With the children whom lacked communication skills they would simply play around with the games trying to catch the child’s attention and distract them from the pain they are feeling. I was particularly touched by the great impact this process has on the children. When one thinks of clowns generally one thinks of a joke; however, these clowns bring joy and laughter to these poor suffering children and to their families. I specifically remember entering a room where the little girl was in a lot of pain and she was rejecting the clowns due to their white doctor coats; however, by the end they had caught her attention and she was no longer lying suffering in bed but dancing to the music and laughing. What struck me the most of this scene was the very grateful parent smiling at seeing his sick daughter being happy once more.
We were then allowed to ask the two clowns some questions, which was a real opportunity. Vladimir told us that he was an active member of the Clown Care Unit at the Big Apple Circus in New York and decided to bring this idea of clown doctors to Italy. Most of the clown doctors working with Soccorso Clown today have been on Soccorso Clown since it has been founded. Due to the fact that this idea was such a success many similar organisations have arisen in Italy. Vladimir was very passionate about the fact that these volunteers for these other organisations are not professionals and he feels that they are mocking his work as all the clown doctors of Soccorso Clown went through auditions and courses to do their job and for them “it’s a profession not a part-time job”. A volunteer does not have the necessary skill and sensitivity to complete this task at its best and this angered Vladimir Olshansky very much. We asked whether their work with the children always receives a positive response; and they replied that they do not leave the room until they see the child enjoy themselves and they see that their work is done. We asked the clowns whether it is difficult to stay detached from these children and how difficult it is to see these children whom they have been working with pass away. They replied that they have weekly sessions to help cope with the pain and of course eventually you become stronger, but it is still quite difficult to handle. We were also wondering where they get their inspiration and they replied that it is precisely cases like the little girl that I previously mentioned which drive them every day, seeing the difference they make to these children. When the children begin to recognise them and are happy when the clowns come in, giving them something to look forward to in the monotonous and depressing hospital life. We also asked them whether this experience helped them in any way and they replied that of course it makes you more sensible to certain matters and a more sensitive person more aware of what is happening in the world surrounding you and makes you stronger.
What I found also very shocking is that this charity organisation, along with most other Italian charity organisations, is no longer government funded. At school we have held many very successful fundraising events to raise awareness and money for this incredible charity and we invite you to support Soccorso Clown and all the amazing work it has been accomplishing throughout the years of its existence.
Nicoletta Enria e Diana Mori, St George’s British Int’l School of Rome