This piece searches for evidence of laughter as having healing power. It's the search itself that proves more meaningful than the answer. The stories shared by the Clown Doctors are inspiring and heartwarming. It seems that laughter is denied to people who need them the most. The story about an Italian man, bedridden with oxygen mask on, and the story about the patient and his stack of greeting cards are especially inspiring. So is the story about the little girl who was able to act her age just before she died, thanks to the Clown Doctors. It's not always about the laughs, though. To be able to cry together is important. We agree that all humor has some pain attached to it. So, it is natural to have both co-exist. The Clown Doctors realize that very important fact and they share that with everyone they come in contact with. Maybe we will never find a medical explanation of laughter as best medicine. It is, after all, a more spiritual treatment than traditional. We tend to forget that healing of the spirit is what makes a failing body rest in peace.
Review of RN Documentary: Humour & Healing
Emon Hassan
Posted on July 16, 2005 at 07:52 PM
This piece searches for evidence of laughter as having healing power. It's the search itself that proves more meaningful than the answer. The stories shared by the Clown Doctors are inspiring and heartwarming. It seems that laughter is denied to people who need them the most. The story about an Italian man, bedridden with oxygen mask on, and the story about the patient and his stack of greeting cards are especially inspiring. So is the story about the little girl who was able to act her age just before she died, thanks to the Clown Doctors. It's not always about the laughs, though. To be able to cry together is important. We agree that all humor has some pain attached to it. So, it is natural to have both co-exist. The Clown Doctors realize that very important fact and they share that with everyone they come in contact with. Maybe we will never find a medical explanation of laughter as best medicine. It is, after all, a more spiritual treatment than traditional. We tend to forget that healing of the spirit is what makes a failing body rest in peace.