Training with Patch Adams, Morocco
Donation protected
WHAT
An exciting opportunity has come up to train with Patch Adams in Morocco - visiting orphanages, hospitals, crisis centres, schools and other settings, using huminatarian clowning to make a difference to the lives of the communities there. Attendees travel in full 'clown' at all time, meeting and interacting with people throughout the training process.
WHO
I regularly visit hospitals as Dr Teapot - a Giggle Doctor for Theodora Children's Charity, a worldwide charity based in Switzerland. This work is hugely rewarding and an absolute joy to be a part of. Giggle Doctors visit all wards, from general children's wards and waiting rooms to specialist areas including oncology, bone marrow, burns, neurology, HDU and ICU.
I see children of all ages, newborns to 18-year-olds, using whatever is necessary to raise their moods and help them focus on something other than their illness or injury. This can include play, comedy, slapstick, mime, jokes, storytelling, magic, music, balloon modelling or bubbles but is always led by the child, and what they want and need in that moment.
The training will benefit my role as a Giggle Doctor enormously as it focuses on the connections made with the patients and on finding the joy and fun in a difficult situation. The skills and techniques I learn will then be used back in the UK to enrich the lives of thousands of children I see in hospitals across Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Bradford and Nottingham.
You can read more about Giggle Doctors and Theodora Children's Charity at https://uk.theodora.org/en-gb
As the training focuses on play and improvisation, I also believe that it will benefit my professional development as an entertainer, and as a person. Previous attendees have callled the course life-changing, and a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to train with Patch Adams in from the Gesundheit Insitute. You may have seen the Robin Williams film which documents his incredible life and journey from medical doctor to clown, 'enthusiator' and a vehicle for social change.
FUNDING
The funds will be used for the course fees covering accommodation and food, flights, travel and living costs. With a family to support, it is unfortunately not something I can justify self-funding, and this is an 'all or nothing' crowd funding endeavour. If the target is not met in the required timescale, the campaign will be cancelled and all donations refunded.
WHEN
The training takes place between April 29th and May 7th, starting in Marrakech and ending in Casablanca. There is an early booking discount on the course which saves $200 if booked before the end of January, so I am looking to hopefully secure a place by then. A $500 deposit is required to book, with final payment due by March 15th.
All donations will be very gratefully recieved - Patch is one of the main reasons I got into hospital work, and the opportunity to meet and work with him in a small group of clowns is very exciting! I firmly believe this training will have a huge impact on not only my role as a Giggle Doctor, but the children I visit in hospitals for many years to come.
An exciting opportunity has come up to train with Patch Adams in Morocco - visiting orphanages, hospitals, crisis centres, schools and other settings, using huminatarian clowning to make a difference to the lives of the communities there. Attendees travel in full 'clown' at all time, meeting and interacting with people throughout the training process.
WHO
I regularly visit hospitals as Dr Teapot - a Giggle Doctor for Theodora Children's Charity, a worldwide charity based in Switzerland. This work is hugely rewarding and an absolute joy to be a part of. Giggle Doctors visit all wards, from general children's wards and waiting rooms to specialist areas including oncology, bone marrow, burns, neurology, HDU and ICU.
I see children of all ages, newborns to 18-year-olds, using whatever is necessary to raise their moods and help them focus on something other than their illness or injury. This can include play, comedy, slapstick, mime, jokes, storytelling, magic, music, balloon modelling or bubbles but is always led by the child, and what they want and need in that moment.
The training will benefit my role as a Giggle Doctor enormously as it focuses on the connections made with the patients and on finding the joy and fun in a difficult situation. The skills and techniques I learn will then be used back in the UK to enrich the lives of thousands of children I see in hospitals across Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Bradford and Nottingham.
You can read more about Giggle Doctors and Theodora Children's Charity at https://uk.theodora.org/en-gb
As the training focuses on play and improvisation, I also believe that it will benefit my professional development as an entertainer, and as a person. Previous attendees have callled the course life-changing, and a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to train with Patch Adams in from the Gesundheit Insitute. You may have seen the Robin Williams film which documents his incredible life and journey from medical doctor to clown, 'enthusiator' and a vehicle for social change.
FUNDING
The funds will be used for the course fees covering accommodation and food, flights, travel and living costs. With a family to support, it is unfortunately not something I can justify self-funding, and this is an 'all or nothing' crowd funding endeavour. If the target is not met in the required timescale, the campaign will be cancelled and all donations refunded.
WHEN
The training takes place between April 29th and May 7th, starting in Marrakech and ending in Casablanca. There is an early booking discount on the course which saves $200 if booked before the end of January, so I am looking to hopefully secure a place by then. A $500 deposit is required to book, with final payment due by March 15th.
All donations will be very gratefully recieved - Patch is one of the main reasons I got into hospital work, and the opportunity to meet and work with him in a small group of clowns is very exciting! I firmly believe this training will have a huge impact on not only my role as a Giggle Doctor, but the children I visit in hospitals for many years to come.
Organizer
Daniel Wood
Organizer
