Hospitals can be associated with illness, grief and fear But the Caring Clowns see the hospital as an opportunity to change a patient’s life, even if it’s only for a moment.
The Caring Clowns of Centennial Mills in Voorhees put on happy faces, makeup, uniforms and two nametags before they arrive at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees.
The Caring Clowns are not your average circus performers or party clowns. They do not get paid to paint faces and blow up balloons at children’s birthday parties.
Anne Fennell (Doc Figit), founder of the Caring Clowns, sees the group as a source of friendly interaction in a sometimes-frightening situation.
“We listen. You have people that are in there that don’t have visitors or have visitors and don’t want to accept the condition or medical problem,” said Fennell. “With us, they can tell us something. They know it’s not going to go anywhere. “
Fennell jumped into action seven years ago by joining the Bumper “T” Caring Clowns organization — a non-profit, volunteer based organization dedicated to making a positive impact in the hospital atmosphere. She brought a piece of her training and experience as a Booker “T” clown to Centennial Mills and many willing to follow.
There are currently 12 Caring Clowns, including four recent graduates.
According to Fennell, each member goes through a six-week training program. The first thing the prospective members learn is about protocol and HIPPA– medical protocol laws. Next, the group learns how to apply makeup, and then they are ready to shadow Fennell at the hospital for a few weeks.
Each clown picks his or her own name. The only uniform aspect in the naming process is the middle initial — every clown has “T” as his or her middle initial, the “T” stands for “The.”
When it is time for the clowns to visit the hospital, they have a specific schedule.
Four clowns rotate days during the week, pair up and cover one of two buildings at Virtua — building A or B.
“Pediatrics is one of the first and most important visits, “ Fennell said.
Each clown has to make sure they are checked in at the front desk before choosing a floor. The clowns must also check in at the floor’s nursing station. The nurses notify the members which rooms they can enter and which ones to avoid.
Fennell said not everyone wants a clown visiting him or her.
After they make a note of which rooms to go to, they start the rounds, knocking on doors to make sure the patient wants a visitor.
“When you are at a hospital you are vulnerable, they may not want a visit from a clown,” Fennell said.
Caring Clown member Ray Gunther (Doc Q Ball) said the type of response you get after knocking on their doors depends on the patent.
‘The best people to deal with are people with visitors,” Gunther said.
For Gunther, visiting the children is his favorite part, but not all of the clowns enjoy visiting the children. For some, it is difficult to see sick children at the hospital and for others the younger kids don’t appreciate the jokes that come along with a few of the clown’s skits.
Howard Coleman (known as Doc Quack) walks around with a brown letter “E” in his pocket, offering it to anyone who looks hungry. Sometimes you might catch him pulling a small, grey hare shaped sponge off of somebody’s head.
Dudley Cannon (known as Doc Doodles) has a special surprise for patients on their birthday. He is able to sing “Happy Birthday” backwards. As Cannon begins to sing he slowly turns so his back is facing the patient and continues the song.
According to Coleman, the older crowd is more appreciative of the clown’s presence. Most children have parents to cling onto for comfort where the adults might not have that type of comfort, Coleman said.
The crew also works with the child life specialist to keep information about the patients and family up to speed, Fennell said.
“We work very closely with the personnel in the hospital. That’s why we like to also be considered a part of the wellness team,“ Fennell said.
There may come a time where the Caring Clowns have to keep a family company in a waiting room.
The worst thing in the world when you are in a hospital, Fennell said
The Caring Clowns are not just clowns, they are there to listen, comfort and aid broken spirits by putting a smile on a patents or even a worried family member’s face.
“You are not going to change the prognosis. But you can change the moment for them and have them smile, “ Fennell said.
For more information on the Caring Clowns or if you would like to join, email Anne Fennell at ANNFEN@aol.com or figittheclown@aol.com
