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October 2013 Serving Danville The Medical Clown Project: Reaching the Person MDIA Needs Your Help By Fran Miller The wildfire that just one month ago ravaged the eastern side of Mount Inside the Patient By Jody Morgan Diablo is a memory, but the devastation left in its wake is ever-present. While The seven professional clowns of the Medical Clown Project (MCP) bring skills honed with Cirque de Soleil, the Big Apple Circus, and other world-renowned companies to medical facilities throughout the Bay Area. Laughter, proven by recent scientific studies to be excellent medicine, is only one part of the therapy they provide. Whether relaxing pediatric patients by stimulating their inherent desire to play or temporarily reconnecting dementia patients with their ability to respond to others who care, the clowns engage the person inside the patient.
naturalists acknowledge that such a fire is merely part of the environmental cycle, and that it will take only three to five years for the area to regenerate, they also acknowledge that Mother Nature could use a hand in the healing process. Assisting in the rehabilitation of the charred picnic areas, mangled fencing, and damaged signage is the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association (MDIA), a non-profit volunteer organization which assists the California Department of Parks and Recreation in maintaining and interpreting Mt. Diablo State Park for its 700,000 visitors each year. Started in 1974 as an informal interest group, MDIA later became formally recognized by the State Park system as the single cooperative association for Mt. Diablo State Park. MDIA’s responsibility has grown over the years to include the publication of guidebooks, maps, and newsletters and the overseeing of all merchandising. The association is proud to have played a major role in the construction and recent remodel of the museum atop Mt. Diablo’s summit, and it is responsible for the creation and staffing of the
Calvin Kai Ku delights patients at On Lok Lifeways by balancing on one of their walkers. Photo by Lenny Gonzales.
In 1986, the Big Apple Circus started Clown Care, the first program in the United States utilizing professional clowns to provide therapy in medical facilities. Today the group visits 225,000 pediatric patients a year. In 2002, Dream Doctors, also targeting pediatric patients, introduced therapeutic clowning in Israel. In the past decade, scientists have proven that laughter promotes better blood circulation, relieves stress by regulating the secretion of the anxiety-response hormone cortisol, promotes the release of endorphins (natural painkillers), and even reduces blood sugar levels in diabetics. Although 90% of medical clowning worldwide focuses on pediatric care, MCP devotes much of its time to adults, particularly patients diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s. “Pediatric patients going into a hospital are scared. All clowns have a sense of play that gives permission to the patients to play. When they do, they feel comfortable and it relieves their anxiety,” MCP clown Calvin Kai Ku explains. “The approach with adults is different from the approach with children. For adults, we provide a sense of camaraderie and friendship as someone who isn’t going to prod you and talk about your medical situation.” How did MCP, the first program of its kind established on the West Coast, come to address the needs of patients of all ages? Artistic Director Jeff Raz also founded the Clown Conservatory, the only comprehensive clown-training program in the United States. His students were performing outside a hospital when the nurse in charge of one of the adult units rushed up to them. “Do you work on adult units?” she asked before exclaiming, “I need you now!” As Raz notes, medical staffers often grasp the significance of what MCP provides before the clowns complete their introductory demonstration. Kai Ku adds: “Having an excellent rapport with the medical staff is important. We have the same goal, but the form of therapy we offer is very different. By working together, we enhance the
See Clowns continued on page 16
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Photo by Steve Hutchcraft
Visitor Center at Mitchell Canyon. MDIA publishes the popular Trail Map of Mount Diablo State Park, various natural history brochures, and Mountain News. MDIA was instrumental in the creation of an interpretive trail from Blackhawk to the summit, where hikers learn of 150 million years of geologic
See MDIA continued on page 22
Pictured above is Mayor Newell Arnerich(left) with Honorary Advisory Committee: Brigadier General Barton Gilbert, Major General Ronald Lowe, RADM Volume IV - Number 12 Robert Tiernan, RADM G. Judson Scott, Major General 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Daniel Helix, and RADM Russell Gorman, and Council Alamo, CA 94507 Member and Capital Campaign Chair Karen Stepper. (925) 405-6397 RADM Russ Gorman made a donation to the Veterans Fax (925) 406-0547 Memorial Building Capital Campaign, giving $200,000 towards the building. The gift resulted in a library Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher editor@ dedication in his name. Citizens have the opportunity yourmonthlypaper.com to honor or memorialize a family name or a veteran on the Donor Wall at the Veterans Memorial Building. opinions expressed herein belong This is a great holiday recognition for families, and the The to the writers, and do not necessarily donations are tax deductible to the 501(c)(3): Veterans reflect that of Danville Today News. Danville Today News is not Memorial Building Development Committee. For for the content of any of more information, call 925-362-9806 or email Info@ responsible the advertising herein, nor does srvVeteransHall.org. publication imply endorsement.