Jason I to have found kids in hospitals who are unable to free themselves from the TV or vid Game to see a magician in thier room although this is a rare event I believe it may be that they have conditioned themselves to the comforts of these entertainments as a diversion to thier treatment, and we as intermitant entertainment are an interuption to this connection. hospitals can be a dificult venue but most often the rewards outweighs these instances.

Topper

Earlier in the thread there was some discussion of what was and was not allowed in hospitals. It is possible to bring animals into the hospital. The Delta Society provides training and registration (and insurance) for bringing pets, including birds, rabbits, and "pocket pets" (even llamas and ponies) into hospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers and schools. The web site is http://www.deltasociety.org Most of the training is what any animal that must be reliable around people needs to have. For rabbits or birds for example, they must be calm, not bite, clean and parasite free. I can imagine the reaction the production of a magical rabbit, dove or hamster would have on a children's ward. Word of caution though, children and the elderly will want to hold or pet your animal and it may totally upstage you. (Also, my two therapy dogs have never been rejected for video games.)

Fay

I had done many hospital shows and only
a few allowed me to do my dove routine.


Maro

Maybe you spoke one possible solution in the phrasing of the question itself. Since my favorite is the TT, I was thinking of a modified TT. (Eek, I hope I'm not crossing any lines in giving out secrets here...) Cut an identical TT from the problem material at hand *wink*, and glue it, or the rim of it, onto the other.

Might be a bit awkward, but I'd imagine with some practice, it might work okay.

Just a quick thought...

I just did my first hopsital show on the 23rd at the CHildrens Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD) in New Hampshire. There was an application process and a few rules, specifically no fire and no animals, but nothing major that would make anyone have to rework an entire show. The kids that were there ranged in age from 2-15, and were the ones that werent able to go home for Christmas. It was just such a rewarding experience, and to see the smiles on the faces of not only the kids, but the parents and nurses as well, was priceless. I am sure that I will be going back again.
It was also kind of ironic, but when I got home from the hospital my new issue of Magic Magazine had arrived and there was an article about Daivd Blaine doing charity work at several hospitals this month and encouraging other magicians to go out and do the same.
If you have the chance to do a hospital showm it really is worth it.

Al

I work in a lot of maximum security psychiatric centers here in NYC. Check out my story in the April, 07 issue of Magic Magazine, THERAPEUTIC THAUMATURGY

There are some hospital rooms that require you to wear a mask and gloves.



I have only done hospital work once and cant wait to do it again. If they require you to wear a mask walk into the room with the mask on. Say something funny, as soon as you get a smile jump back in surprise and say "Look at that smile". Then tell them the nurse said I had to wear this mask and now you can't see the smile on my face that your smile put there. I have an idea,(Grab a smile cut out of a magazine that is quite large. paste it onto some thin paperboard, Stick some duct tape behind it and have it all set.) Stick the smile onto your mask saying TA-DAH!!! leave the smile on until you leave the room. The kids love this becouse its funny, its magical, and it lets them know that they made you smile even if they cant see your real smile.

This post seems to take activity in spurts. However, my $0.02 worth.
I have started volunteering for the local VA Medical Center, basically to do the "Birthday" parties in the Nursing Home Care Unit(clowning or magic. or both). The director of volunteers has also mentioned working in the waiting areas for various clinics and visiting individual rooms with a "humor" cart (which has some give-away items, like clown noses). There is also an opportunity to work during the "Salute to Veterans'" days.
So far I've been given NO restriction on using sponge items, although that may come with time. The issue of gowns and masks has been touched on, but that will be on a unit-by-unit basis.
Much of my volunteer time is now spent with the "Escort" team. just learning my way around. That will probably continue between the other activities.
However, it's a good place to begin working the "hospital" environment, if you have one nearby (and it helps the vets).

Bill

I have been working with the local Children's Hospital for a few years now. There are restrictions (open flame, balloons, live animals, food), but it's all pretty common sense stuff.

What they don't tell you or teach you, is what its really all about.

When I first started doing magic for the kids, I had several 'sucker' tricks in my set. I don't fool the kids anymore. They have enough going that they don't need someone fooling them.

I'll never forget the first weekend I was there. There was a young boy sitting in his wheelchair up front, IV attached...bald head...I was thrown so badly, that I couldn't even tie a simple knot in the rope I was holding. I then went on to blow the coloring book routine! I blew the coloring book!!!! Well, I got it together and did a half-way entertaining show, but in retrospect, I learned so much from that experience.

Doctors and Nurses treat the symptoms, the disease, the broken limb. My job is to treat the moment......and so, we laugh a lot!