Helen has presented workshops and talks internationally which have been focused mainly on her work in healthcare as a clown.
Click on the topics below to read the descriptions of some conferences and training events Helen has presented at.
The years she spent teaching and training in the Therapeutic Clowning world was a major highlight of her life.
Click on the topics below to read the descriptions of some conferences and training events Helen has presented at.
The years she spent teaching and training in the Therapeutic Clowning world was a major highlight of her life.
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Spontaneous Song and Sound: artistic workshop, USA 2017 (Healthy Humor) and Vienna 2018 (Healthcare Clowning International Meeting)
A Fool Speaks Out: interactive workshop at North York Arts, 2017
Playful Hearts: the Road to Resiliency OACRS conference, 2017
Supervision and Evaluation, international panel discussion Portugal 2016 (Healthcare Clowning International Meeting)
Hello In There: artistic workshop, Portugal 2016 (Healthcare Clowning International Meeting)
Too Cool: artistic workshop, Portugal 2016 (Healthcare Clowning International Meeting)
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Creativity in Healthcare interactive workshop: Hamilton, 2016 (A Palpable Thrill)
The Joy of Rhythm, Movement and Sound (TRO conference, 2015)
Insight into the Pochinko Technique: artistic workshop, The Dream Doctors, Israel 2014 annual training
Presenting...YOU! York University, 2013 Presentation workshop
OTHERS:
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'ENDORSEMENTS FROM HEALTHCARE CLINICIANS:
The benefits of the therapeutic clowns are felt both in and out of costume. I enjoy watching the clowns bring out spontaneity, laughter and happiness as they engage with our clients. I have overheard clients and their family members eagerly anticipating a clown’s expected arrival on the unit. Out of costume, at team meetings, the clowns offer valuable insights into even the most medically complex clients. Their use of humour and play allows them to gain a unique viewpoint into each child’s thoughts, interests and needs.
Dr Michelle Porepa
Physician, Complex Continuing Care Unit
It can be very difficult for clinicians to make a connection with our clients, which the Therapeutic Clowns seem to do effortlessly. The Clowns are non-threatening and weave their way through the hospital reducing stress among the staff and clients.
Recently I had to assess and change a wound dressing on a 1 year old boy; not an easy thing to do. The client was crying and fighting me off which made proper assessment impossible. The Therapeutic Clowns came to my rescue by breaking into song and dance and distracting my client long enough for me to do a proper assessment and redress the wound. This directly improves client care and safety and allows me to be a more effective clinician. I will continue to enjoy their entertaining presence, but will be calling on them more often to assist me with bedside care.
Robert Gangnon
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
These invaluable colleagues remind me to take myself less seriously, to pause and enjoy the smiles and laughter they help create. All of their attributes demonstrated through creative and therapeutic play contribute to the best possible resilient rehab outcomes.
Valerie Lusted, MSW, RSW
The TCs are awesome! We rely on them especially when it comes to techniques for pain management and helping clients take their medications. The clients and families really enjoy them and they make a world of difference when it comes to collaborative approaches for pain management!
Tamara Milicevic, Clinical Pharmacist
Our pharmacy student had a great opportunity to collaborate with the clowns this year to teach medications to a family. The clowns made it so much more fun and engaging for the child, and our student said it was one of the most creative education sessions in which he has participated, and he is very grateful for this.
Amy Hu, RPh, ACPR, BScPhm
Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
The Therapeutic Clown Practitioners are a great resource to help motivate our clients to participate in therapy and meet their therapy goals. Our TCP’s offer a welcome distraction from often difficult therapy routines and help lighten the experience. They are an excellent collaborative resource for staff to call on.
Kristina McAdam, CYW
I see the thrill on the faces of the kids and parents alike who interact with the clowns in the waiting rooms. My clients are excited, happy, smiling and will talk or try to talk about the encounter while in speech therapy sessions in outpatients.
Thanks so much for all your work!
Louise Dix SLP
Dr.Flap and the therapeutic clowns identify at risk children and families in collaboration with other health care workers and use staff feedback to create moments that encourage client physical health, spirit health and emotional well-being.
Diana Medeiros, Client Scheduler
I love the TC program. I think it is a great program that benefits the children in many ways. The clowns bring a unique social interaction that often I only witness when the clowns are on the unit. They bring out the child’s imagination in creative ways. Often the humour the clowns lighten the mood as they storm the unit with their antics, amusing clients, families and staff.
Adam, RN
Therapeutic Clowning brings a creative gift to our clients that Child Life can’t provide. The artistry and intentional nature of performance transports our clients to an imaginative place that takes them far beyond the walls of the hospital.
Katherine Upshall, Certified Child Life Specialist, Clinical Education Liason and Bioethics Facilitator
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
As a physiotherapy resident working with a little girl who had tremendous anxiety around physiotherapy, I witnessed the magic and power of the therapeutic clowns. She seemed to particularly enjoy the social interaction between the clowns and was engaged by the silly scenarios they created to ensure a positive therapeutic experience. The therapeutic clown program played a vital role in the success of this client’s rehabilitation and experience at Holland Bloorview. Thank you!
Katherine Symes
Physiotherapy Resident,
Holland-Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital
FROM FAMILIES AND CLIENTS:
“I was very nervous on my first day here. I met a lot of people and was unsure of what to expect. During my first day, the Therapeutic Clowns came to my room. The clowns’ names are Dr Flap and Nurse Polo. The clowns made me feel welcome and made my whole family laugh and smile. Meeting the clowns was a magical moment for me.”
-Teenaged client with a brain injury
“David's journey has been difficult. He has endured unimaginable pain and heart-breaking setbacks. The therapeutic clowns brought more than comic relief; they helped him find himself again.”
-Leanne, David's mom
“My son was a day patient at Holland Bloorview after suffering a stroke at the age of 8. These were difficult and confusing times for our family. We had several appointments every day and lots of stress, but when we saw the clowns, for that brief moment we forgot about what was going on and just had fun. That light-hearted feeling stayed with us long after our interaction with the clowns and helped us get through our appointments.”
Amir Karmali
Family-Centred Care Specialist, Client and Family Integrated Care
“They make you forget your troubles...make us feel alive, like we still have a lot to live for.”
Elder Day Program Client, St Clair West Services for Seniors
“They would spend time with me coming up with crazy stories and songs and we would laugh and laugh.”
Child, 11, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital
“They make me forget my pain.”
Child, 13, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital
“They take the stress from life.”
Elder Resident, Belmont House
“I think they do lift people up. They bring a bit of happiness to the place – this environment.”
Elder Resident, Belmont House
‘I used to stand transfixed watching Ricky and Dr. Flap. No matter which hospital room we were in or whether the child could speak or move, the duo would create a kind of magic that bounced like a ball between the clowns and the child and the child and the clowns.’
-Louise Kinross, mother of a child with special needs, and author of BLOOM Magazine
‘Every person we've dealt with at Bloorview-- from the doctor...to the Therapeutic Clowns who seemed to be able to read ‘Andre's’
needs better than anyone else (including me)-- are heroes. I think their hiring policy begins with "all applicants, in order to be considered, must be able to perform miracles.”’
-Father of a 5-year old child, stroke survivor
‘On Tuesday you both came to the session and she did more than I've seen her do in years! She danced! She's hasn't danced for 4 years...and the difference was Dr. Flap and Nurse Polo at the therapy session. I'll be forever grateful to you both.’
-Mother of a 12-year old girl with multiple disabilities
FROM HEALTHCARE CLOWN COLLEAGUES:
‘There are teachers I have studied with and said, "Wow! What a wonderful teacher! Now, who's next?" Others, I have said, "Wow! What a wonderful teacher! When can I learn from her again - even if it takes years?" I have found four of those in my life and only two in the world of clowning. You are one of the two!’ –John Grimaldi, Healthy Humor USA
‘You're poised to be a huge international player, now, which is just fantastic. You made an enormous impact. Thanks for that.’ -Paul Hoosen AKA Doc Willikers (BC, Canada)
‘In the perspective of a global network, we can hear some individuals and small groups questioning what would be their place into such a vast project. But it is all up to us to be proactive and create the space where we could contribute. Let’s take the example of the program from the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital… Just three practitioners! But Helen Donnelly and her team have been proactive and created their own standards of care, to evaluate and supervise their work and assure the best service for their clients.’ - Olivier-Hugues Terreault, co-founder of Jovia, Artistic Director of Teatro do Sopro, BRAZIL
‘Helen and Manuel were very active in the Healthcare Clowning International Meeting 2016 in Lisbon as workshop leaders, discussion panel presenters and International Cabaret performers, contributing with valuable ideas, reflections and artistic expertise to enriching the Meeting.’ -Pedro Fabião, Artistic Director, Operação Nariz Vermelho
‘After the Healthcare Clowning International Meeting, Helen Donnelly came to visit us at the hospital. In the morning she shadow us, In the afternoon we had the pleasure to meet and play with Dr. Flap.
In the Meeting we were proud to belong to such a big and diverse community. With Helen we learned from her specific practice, sharing our work. We build bridges that I hope become solid and solid. I hope this was just the first chapter of our work together. With Dr. Flap it was incredible how we immediately were talking the some Clown language, flying amazing places.’ -Miguel Antunes aka Dr. Prof. Dr. Migas Migalhasm Operação Nariz Vermelho
‘Dr Flap is a great hospital Clown. Focused on spreading joy and music all around using her ukulele, and her gift to create comic and stupid situations. She really knows how to work & play with her partner to make this magic happens: transform boredom into happiness!’ -Basile Pujebet, aka ‘Nurse Champignon.’ (Portugal)
‘Helen Donnelly represented her program and our Canadian healthcare clowning community with excellence. Her presentations on panels and through the medium of a poster were intelligent, informative and evidence of a dedicated and talented healthcare clown/practitioner.’ -David Langdon, Therapeutic Clowns Canada Network Representative
‘It was a huge pleasure seeing/meeting you all in Lisbon and participating in the panel. Thank you for getting us all together, Helen!
Time to review all the many impressions, thoughts, insights and inspiration of the Lisbon meeting before looking ahead to Vienna and beyond! Warm wishes from rainy Edinburgh,’ -Magdalena Schamberger, Chief Executive & Artistic Director, HEARTS and MINDS, Scotland
‘Thank you Helen for the opportunity, and thanks to all of you for an inspiring time. Since then we've been trying out things from Lisbon. ‘Teen deliveries’ have been working a treat!’ -Diane Thornton, Hearts and Minds, Scotland
‘Thank you so much Helen for your drive and for inviting me along. I had a lot of fun working with you all and I too learned a lot. Onward!’ -Melissa Holland, Artistic Director and cofounder, JOVIA
‘Any time a teacher reveals to us what a young patient might be going through, is golden and Helen had many such jewels...’ -Dikki Ellis (founding member of Big Apple Circus Clown Care 1987)
‘I'm so grateful for the discoveries I found while working with Helen Donnelly! As a musician and a clown, I really appreciated her advice, 'keep the pressure on the nose.' Helen's encouragement to stay rooted in the world of clown while incorporating music into my play was very helpful. Music often feels precious, and this pedestal perception prevents comedy from blooming naturally. Helen helped me remember to stay open and listen for the fun within my musicality.’ -Kolleen Kintz, Healthy Humor USA
‘As a Peruvian clown, it was a great honor and learning experience to meet Helen Donnelly and part of her team at Holland Bloorview. I was so grateful to see a group of professionals in action, creating an environment full of love, caring and wellness for patients, staff and Hospital visitors. This experience should be replicated in every country.’ -Luciana Arispe, Lima, Perú
‘Helen's workshop made me think outside my clown 'music box' as well as the tools learned being immediately applicable to my healthcare clowning; it was outstanding!’ -Nancy C. Greiner, Healthy Humor USA
'I have successfully used what I learned at her workshop almost every day since. It was one of the most applicable and helpful workshops I’ve taken at a conference.' - Maria Peyraumaure, Healthy Humor USA
'Any hospital would benefit from this kind of program with these professional artists. Hats off to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital for being a leader in the important area of therapeutic clowning.
We are extremely grateful to have shadowed and witnessed the dynamic duo of Flap and Flutter!’-Anne Claudette Hampson, Jennifer Walton, Jody Boston, Therapeutic Clowns Hamilton
CONTACT HELEN: PHONE: 416-536-4323 EMAIL: therapeuticclown@gmail.com
Copyright © 2018