The following feature story aired on WRAL-TV
in Raleigh NC on May 19, 1997

Laughter as Medicine

May 19, 1997
Healing power isn't always in the hands of doctors and nurses. As Health Team Medical expert Dr. Allen Mask explains, some clowns are proving laughter can be the best medicine.

Doctors aren't the only ones making the rounds at Rex Healthcare. Clowns, Linny and Mo, know how to turn sick days into happy ones. They know laughter and humor have healing power.

Linny: "Anytime you see kids and they get the big smile and the lift, it's good for them."

Mo: "People ask us why do you do this? We say we do this because we know it's good for the patients and it's good for us."

Kids aren't the only patients Linny and Mo clown around with. Mo says adults get in on the act too.

These clowns have lots of tricks up their sleeves to entertain and take the focus off the pain. And they make time for the staff too.

Nurse Tammie Fitzgerald says clown care is a critical part of treatment.
"It makes them feel better knowing there are people who care to come by and say hello."

Lifting patient's spirits can be exhausting, but Mo says it's exhilarating too.
"You know they talk about the joggers' high. There's also the helpers' high and so it makes me feel wonderful."

Linny and Mo do their clown care once a week at Rex. They also volunteer for Hospice.

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