Help Clownselors Foundation heal more patients through medical clowning. Donate now

Following a paralysis attack, Renu Amma's husband was unable to sit or walk. Paralysed from his waist down, he spent six gruelling months at the general ward in a hospital. Being bedridden and indoors for most of the day was making him cranky and ill-tempered. “He’d grumble at nurses and doctors, and soon became popular as 'Grumpy Grandpa'. While spending time at the ward, I noticed a girl named Sunshine who'd visit every week and stop by the children's beds making funny faces, getting upto amusing antics, and amazingly evoking smiles even on the faces of those in extreme pain. One evening, I approached Sunshine and requested her to work her charm in making my husband smile too. "But Amma...," she mumbled. But I grabbed her hand and guided her to where my husband was seated in his wheelchair, grimly staring out of the window. There was absolute silence in the ward, as everyone around anticipated my husband to growl. Sunshine knelt down before my husband. "Baba", she smiled as she touched her forehead on his hands that rested in his lap. She then took a step back and began singing an old Bollywood song. He looked up at her, slowly raised his hands and began swaying to her song - smiling. He’d smiled for the first time in several months. The whole ward was brimming with joy and laughter. Sunshine made sure to check on her Baba every week thereafter, and would even help motivate him during his physio sessions. My husband began responding better to treatment and would eagerly look out for her every Thursday. We are back home now - my husband has recovered and is fully mobile again. Everyday during our morning and evening prayers, we remember Sunshine - the clown that gave my husband a new lease of life,” shares a misty-eyed Renu Amma.

Restoring 'care' in 'healthcare' one clown at a time

Clownselors Foundation focuses on the mental aspect of health at healthcare centres through Medical Clowning - a proven distraction therapy that hastens the healing process of the ailing through humour. “Our approach is to make hospital spaces less scary and more positive. Dressed up as clowns, our volunteers visit hospital wards and engage patients through music, drama, magic, dance and a variety of fun performances. Over the last seven years, our Clownselors have brought smiles to more than 6 lakh patients, 6 lakh guardians, thousands of hospital staff, and lakhs of children and adults across various vulnerable spaces. Doctors have shared testimonials on how a patient's response to medication improves when exposed to clowning. There are reported incidents of doses of anaesthesia being reduced due to exposure to clowning, resulting in patients often eating and responding better,” informs Sheetal Agarwal, Founder of Clownselors Foundation.

 A dose of laughter for every dose of medicine

Clownselors Foundation is on a mission to spread joy, happiness, and the sounds of laughter through those intimidating hospital corridors. Clownselors believe that compassionate human connection has a robust power to heal. With the help of therapeutic medical clowning, they harness this power to create happiness for patients, families, medical teams, and staff. “We want to light up the lives of isolated and non-communicative people by bringing a positive change in their lives through the successful approach of medical clowning. Clownselors Foundation now aims to reach remote areas of India and help ensure better healthcare facilities for all,” adds Sheetal.

 “In 2016, when our first five Clownselors entered the hospital, the atmosphere changed from gloomy to cheerful. Frowns turned into smiles as we set about playing, singing, performing magic tricks and lots of clown antics,” recalls Sheetal. Through five hours of clowning the team had touched the lives of 1200+ patients from OPD to inpatient wards to emergency wards. Now, Clownselors are invited to hospitals across the country. During the lockdown, when people were stranded and in shelters arranged for migrant workers, Clownselors conducted clowning sessions at these shelters to divert migrant workers from their stress. “Through our lockdown clowning sessions we gifted joy and laughter to 2000+ people in these shelters and old-age homes. Just as people need food, shelter and clothing, they need Medical Clowning to fill and nourish their souls with joy and laughter. With your support, our Clownselors can spread more smiles amongst more people suffering from isolation and illness,” appeals Sheetal.

With your generous contribution, Clownselors Foundation will be able to scale and maximise their interventions and offer the healing benefits of medical clowning therapy to all in need. Donate now.

On the occasion of Daan Utsav (beginning October 2, 2022) all your contributions to Clownselors Foundation will be boosted by Give. So the amount you donate is scaled up, and so is the impact. Donate now!