CALGARY – Laughter releases endorphins which can relieve pain and stimulate healing; it can also help young patients get through some very scary and painful situations.
That’s why at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, when they need a little laughter, they simply send in the clowns.
Micaela is laughing now but just a few years ago, sickness made her silent.
“When Micaela became paralyzed after the flu she couldn’t even vocalize, she couldn’t even initiate a laugh,” says Judith, Micaela’s mother.
Encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, caused her body to shut down, trapping her inside.
“We knew she was there because when the clowns would laugh with her or talk with her,” says Judith.
“We knew she was getting it because in some way she was laughing.”
In time, Michaela once again found her voice.
It’s stories like hers that demonstrate just how special Jumpa and Sparkle are; they’re masters of laughter but they’re also highly trained medical professionals who play an important role at the hospital – therapeutic clowns.
“They’re not just regular clowns, they’ve gone to school to learn how to work with children and families and help them through those stressful situations,” says Dr. David Chaulk, ER doctor at the ACH.
Today, Jumpa and Sparkles are leading Michaela and her sister through laughter yoga, which combines laughter with breathing and relaxation exercise.
It’s one of many services they offer.
“We’ve done a child’s memorial service and at a child’s memorial service it was to bring together the community; 300 people laughing together because this child loved to laugh,” says Fif Fernandes, or Jumpa.
Micaela and her sister Kia have now become honorary clowns themselves; Sunshine Rainbow and Sweetheart the clown.
There are approximately 60 therapeutic clowns working across Canada.
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