Participant FeedbackDwayna M. Covey During the last night of my stay in California for the 2010 AATH Conference I began to put into place the steps to retain my newly discovered knowledge as well to share it. My weekly column for The Bridge Weekly replayed my experience and how humor and laughter are such important components in our lives (and that research is taking its place and helping us along). I have set up two Laughter Clubs, one which meets two mornings a week at 7:15am (beginning on the 7th of June) is held my workplace – a large academic medical center. The second is scheduled to begin on Thursday, July 8th at the local high schools – a free event for community members. It is like the wheels starting turning and they are now on cruise. My columns continue to inter-mingle thoughts about humor and laughter, positive thinking, intuition, gratefulness or whatever I feel may convey a message of interest from my week’s adventures. I have had recent requests from a church group and a student organization to provide presentations on the topics of laughter and personality type. With all the research from the conference in hand, I have found it easy to put together my ideas, and to have some tools and support to bring them all together. I have definitely been influenced by all the research! I absolutely love it!! At times I wish that the world would just believe what they feel, rather than having to have it proved, yet I know that research gives it the reality, the science behind the thoughts. I have a stack of books, from Mary Kay’s to Kathy Buckley (both of which I have taken much from ) along with note books for writing down daily tid bits along with people that I want to meet and or read about. I use the AATH Conference book as a resource on a regular basis, and have found Judy Young’s materials quite useful when talking with colleagues in my work place. As times moves forward, I plan to continue spreading the words of humor and laughter, and ultimately turn workplaces and educational settings into one’s that regularly infuse them into daily practices. My red noses, magic wands and hats are in the ready for come what may. And I look forward to the next year as our group grows and creates together. I'm just so happy to be part of the AATH gang. As my health continues to get stronger, I look forward to getting more involved with AATH and welcome the opportunity to have a role in the Humor Academy. It's very meaningful to be in the first class and watch the academy take shape... and to be part of the process. (I love the word "academy." It sounds prestigious.) The HA is really important and valuable to me. Even though I've not been posting in Moodle (but soon will) I've been keeping a written journal during each phone call and I haven't missed one yet. (That's one of the strategies I use to recall information is to write everything down.) And you should see how marked up your book is. I write my thoughts in the margins as I'm reading it, plus I've highlighted so much. I will be working on my October HA commentary today. I'll e-mail you a copy. I'll share one of my October highlights now... I presented a workshop at a disability conference here in Missoula on Oct. 14th. The title of my program was called, "The Sensitive Side of a Disability." I incorporated 15 minutes of humor theory and what makes us laugh. If we better understand how humor works and what makes us laugh, we can be more sensitive and watchful to avoid offending others and we can also be less sensitive to taking laughter personally and feeling offended when none was intended. This came back as the favorite part of my talk ... and MAR (Montana Association for Rehabilitation) is planning to theme their next year's conference around humor. I'm going to follow up and send them the AATH "save the date" conference information today. I think I should be their keynoter next year ... don't you? You wouldn't know this, but I think you answered my keynote question perfectly. Here's why... I'm going to be reworking my most popular keynote this winter to take it up to the next level. "What do you do when life looks ugly?" is my brain injury signature story ... the emotional journey of adjusting to an abrupt life change... how humor helped and laughter healed. And where my humor quote originated, "When life knocks you down, humor is the magic wand that cushions your fall, lifts you back up and points you in a new direction." Fif Fernandes Laughter rains down! Healing, loving, laughing, peacing. Tears of laughter. Tears of joy. Tears of profound sadness. Tears acknowledging I’ve come home. Brain and heart reuniting. Soul smelling the sweetness of absurdity, silliness, beauty and grace. Science and emotions simmering to fruition. Loving life. Rediscovering prana, life force, through humor, laughter and joy. Being at peace. Being peace. Awe inspiring, summarizes my thoughts and feelings regarding the 23rd Annual AATH Conference: the participants, the speakers, the breakout sessions. The Tribute to Norman Cousins pinnacled the experience. Last year I founded a Peace Camp for kids brutalized by the 22 year old civil war in Northern Uganda. I was not aware of Norman Cousin’s strong humanitarian and peace work which was the back bone of his life. I wept. The Biology of Hope/Healing Power of the Human Spirit became more than just a conference theme - the rich tapestry is weaving into the deep subconscious ocean of my life. The work and words graciously shared by Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Earl Henslin moved me. Their authenticity, love of life, joy, laughter, and truth underpinned their scientific research. Like a child at the feet of a loved grandparent or teacher, I wanted to absorb every word, facial expression, generosity, and kindness of Dr. Berk, Dr. Henslin and Norman Cousins. Recently being diagnosed pre-diabetic, Dr. Berks findings were of particular interest. I spoke to Dr. Berk and I am in the process of framing a research project. The seamless absorption of learnings from the conference were noticed immediately on many levels. Often when I am with certain people, they will interrupt me, speak on my behalf, and sometimes unknowingly ignore me. Feeling very frustrated, disrespected and hurt, I usually remained silent, felt voiceless and further fettered. Shortly after the conference, I was able to address this situation in a non-personal way thru laughing and joking, and thus release frustration. This was a big a - ha moment which was very empowering! As a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher (Laughter Yoga International) and Certified Laughter Leader (World Laughter Tour), I have been able to add more research into presentations. Since the AATH Conference, along with Hamish, the love of my life and laughter partner, we have delivered 19 Laughter Yoga Sessions and we will be facilitating our 5th Certified Laughter Yoga Leader Training in June. Four in Canada and one in Uganda. We trained East Africa’s first Certified Laugher Yoga Leaders. My Mum recently was forced to relocated to an extended care facility that is understaffed. The moral is usually low and more often than not the care is dismal. While still being a strong advocate for Mum, for the greater part, I am able to laugh and use humor to rouse the staff to take pride in their work, thus uplifting their spirits, that of the residents and providing better service to our dear elders. My attitude led to the company’s Human Resources team hiring Hamish and me to run 8 Laughter Yoga sessions at 4 of their facilities during their Staff Appreciation Week. The seniors and staff are deeply appreciative of the Laughter Yoga sessions we run. They are surprised and pleased at how it lifts their mood and gives them an overall sense of well being and joy - And I think Mum receives better care ... for the greater part. Mum, for the first time in her life, had a seizure, grande mal no less. When the nursing home informed me (an hour and a half later) that she was unresponsive - I calmly asked if they had called the Emergency Medical Service, EMS (ambulance) - they were just on the other line doing it! No humor here. Visions of a dead mummy stormed my brain. When I arrived at the hospital, Mum, surrounded by EMS personal was peering from beneath a mound of blankets and waving like the queen; a tad confused but totally oblivious to the worry she had caused. The relief was so great that I was able to laugh and joke with Mum and EMS. When I phoned to update my sister, my 4 year old niece, Mija answered the phone and immediately in a cheerful voice queried, “Is Grandma dead?!” We all had a jolly good gawfa. Mija had done a reframe for all of us. Just two weeks earlier, Mija’s cat had died and gone to heaven - so she just figured that Mum and Paddy could hang out together. I work as a Therapeutic Clown, named Jumpa, at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Last November the father of child contacted me requesting that I / Jumpa visit his son as he had taken a turn and it was unlikely that he would live till the end of the week. Unfortunately at the time, I was on my way to Chicago. I suggested that I chat with the lad over the phone. Thus started daily phone calls where “Alexander” and I would laugh together. The sessions began with 2 minutes and within 3 months stretched to 17 minutes before he got tired. When Alexander eventually passed away in April, his parents asked me to be a part of his memorial service. They further surprised me by asking me to MC the event. And because of the joy Alex and I shared with laughter, his parents wanted me to start the memorial with Laughter Yoga. The response from the over 300 attendees was nothing short of wonder and joy. Though bittersweet because of the death of beautiful nine year old boy, the Laughter Yoga created a connection between people that allowed for both grief and laughter. Even now, people I don’t know who I attended the service will approach me or Hamish and talk about their experience of how the Laughter Yoga helped them to find the joy amidst the profound pain. Everyday, I am able to use humor with the staff, kids and parents at the hospital. A few days ago, a child was brought in to the Emergency Department by his mother who is now on charges of attempted murder and suffocation with intent. It was very stressful and traumatic for all involved - the Calgary Police, the Child Response Team, and the full compliment of the Emergency Medical Trauma Team. I received many kudos for my work with the child, his sibling, the mother, the police and response team. We were all surprised, including me, to discover how much Jumpa the Therapeutic Clown was able to diffuse the situation and bring much silliness and laughter without interfering with the integrity of the investigation. Now we are dealing with the aftermath, it is hard to laugh. The little boy, now has brain damage, but we all cherish the moments of joy and laughter through play. In using silly voices and puppets, racing thru the hospital hallways, I recall and am grateful for Dr. Joel Schwartz’s session and Noses are Red picture book on understanding age appropriate games and humor for children. Reading Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient and The Healing Heart by Norman Cousins, has given me a greater understanding and insight into the world of doctors and medical students. I have been blessed to have had an Aunty, an OB/GYN, who was the embodiment of loving kindness, compassion and a good sense of humor. My father in law was and eye surgeon and Head of Opthomology at the U of A University Hospital. Plus Hamish and I have both worked in the Faculty of Medicine in 3 cities since 1986 as standardized patients - which essentially means I am an actor who works with doc preceptor in training med students from everything from bedside manor to communication and ethics to breast and gyne exams - yep - that’s how I create part of my living! Thus I have always felt comfortable with hospitalists. After the AATH Conference and discussions with my colleagues in the Humor Academy, I am having deeper and more humorous conversations with researchers, doctors and residents. I have been able to speak somewhat intelligently and site William Osler, Hippocrates, Candice Pert and others; and in my clown like way Jumpa way, have been able to expound on the importance of the doctor-patient connection, heart communication and humor as a key elements in the care of a patient and family to wholeness. This summer I am teaching kids at “Wordsworth”, a residential writing camp, and at “The Art of Peace - A Camp for Kids”, which I co-founded 5 years ago. In both camps, the sessions I facilitate, I utilize laughter and humor to assist kids in combatting bullying and empowering them. I shall draw from Using Humor to Maximize Learning by Mary Kay Morrison and Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar. Last year I fell in love with Sporty King and his whole philosophy with U.G.L.Y. This year was another great boost and I was inspired and reminded of some great theatre games and the creation of inspirational poetry in his session “Stretching Your Creativity”. Sporty’s session will also inform the work I do with kids at the hospital and at the two camps. I still question and ponder my strong feelings about the breakout on using parody - “Laughtoons: Mirthful Connection Through Musical Parody”. As of yet, I am not able to find clarity nor humor in the situation. I still get uneasy and a bit angry. Many people at the conference were very clear about not “stealing” from speakers. So why is it OK to “steal” music from songwriters who wrote music (and lyrics) with specific intentions? Plus they earn money from their creative and intellectual property. Much of the music used in the workshop is still under copy write. The session brought joy and laughter to many people. It just brought a big knot in the pit of my stomach. Yet a couple of years ago, a young patient I was working with and I created a hand hygiene song to “Here Comes Santa Claus”: Here comes Microsans. Here comes Microsans, I was contracted to present the above song and magic routine I created to medical staff at two hospitals. Subsequently, this has become part of my repertoire. So, hmmm, why the angst when I too have used parody? Stay tuned as I hopefully find the humor and joy in this situation and grow towards wholeness! In conclusion, I look forward to continuing to enriching my life personally and professionally as I:
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