|
|
The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
I've been debating how to put this in here for awhile, but here goes....
Here in Orlando...land of the rat, there's this place called the 'kid's village'. It's really a nice setup....little cottages for each child's family, all manner of recreational & play facilities...swings, slides, a big pool, trampolines, a moonwalk, mini-golf...you name it. The village is for children who are terminally ill.....no cure....no chance...theyre just waiting to die basicly. The program is with the 'make-a-wish' foundation for the ones whose wish is to come to Disney-world. The Disney charecters (MIckey, Minnie Donald & Goofy) all come out to do meet&greets, along with the main Disney princesses (Snow-white, Cinderella, Belle, and Alice) and other charecters come out as requested, such as Mowgli, Peter Pan, Ariel, Jasmine, Tigger, Pooh, etc. The three events (daily) which they have enetretainment for are the breakfast, the pizza party, and the 'tuck-in' program. Well, a freind of mine plays Cinderella & Belle at Disney, and remarked that the village was always on the lookout for entertainers at the pizza party...volunteer only. But I thought it sounded fun, I figured I could make some contacts, and I had a bit of a crush on this girl....so I gaffed-up & headed out there. Wow...it was like walking into a never-never land. Besides all the charecters and princesses, there were some non-Disney charecters (a rabbit, a racoon, and a cat), a yo-yo artist, a balloon clown, and this girl with a cute puppet. I did my show, and it got a huge reaction, and nearly all the kids came up to see more magic (just close-up stuff or repeat requests) and ask me all sorts of questions. Seeing the kids closer....it was disturbing. Some of them you could tell were almost 'ready-to-go'....yellow skin, sallowed eyes, no hair. There were braces and wheelchairs everywhere, and more than a few paralysis victims. It was good to see them smiling, but then, after viewing the D'lites, gravity pour, & healed&sealed, one little girl, healthy, about 6 or 7 I guess, asked me "Can you do magic and make my brother well again? I really don't want him to die." That little scentence hit me like a 5-iron to the jaw. I was TOTALLY stumped. What was I supposed to say??!? 'No'? Thank heaven the mother was nearby, heard it, and quickly swooped in & started talking to her daughter. Suddenly I felt GUILTY for doing what appeared to be MAGIC in front of kids who needed some ACTUAL magic in their life right about now! I talked with Sara (the princess) later, and she said it's a natural reaction. Most of the princesses can only stay out with them about 15-20 minuetes before they have to go backstage & cry. At least the charecters are in those heads which is good, 'cause when they took them off, more than a few of them were bawling. So, I suppose some of you do hospital shows, but those kids...even the ones in the cancer ward are there in the hopes of getting better. Have you ever had a sick / crippled / deaf / etc. child ask if you could help them with magic? What in the WORLD did you say to them??
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
|
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
When I played the great big guy in the red flannel suit, I was asked several times to bring back Daddy.
Daddy was either dead, or they were divorced. It is a tough question. My pat response was softly stating, there are some things even Santa can't do and this is one of them. Carrying this over to MAGIC, get down to their level, look them in the eyes, tilt your head slightly then softly and empathically state: "There are some things Magicians can't do and that wish is one of them." You're being honest and you are not saying that hard word NO. Practice saying it until you feel comfortable with it. When I said that to the child (as Santa) several times I got a big thank you from the parent or gardian. (Santa Never Lies or makes Promises he can't keep.) I even got a nice letter forwarded to me from the store where I worked praising the store for my response and my sensitivity on how I handled that question.
Dennis Michael
|
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
Well done,
It's hard keeping the Mr happy face on when faced with such kids, I've done a few like that myself. But seeing the smiles on those brave faces makes it all worth while. As Dennis said when faced with the impossible question, a gentle answer like he wrote is the only thing to do. I put the smile on their faces, and as soon as I'm out of site I remove mine and try and compose myself for the drive home, it makes me realise just how lucky I am to have a healthy family.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
Fairy Sarah New user Melbourne 22 Posts |
I visit Melbourne's main children's hospital fairly regularly and have had similar experiences. The staff at this hospital ask performers not to use wishes since it may be confused with the Make a Wish Foundation. As a Fairy wish granting is usuallly a part of my work and I often give out shiny wishing stones to children. When I'm in the hospital however I change this to happiness stones that have the power to make people happy (rather than making their wishes come true.) One day at the hospital I met a very sweet boy who was seven but still very fasinated by the whole fairy thing and wanted to know a whole host of things about fairyland (like "are there vampires in Fairyland, I mean, good vampires?")
As I left I gave him a happy stone and told him that if he was ever feeling sad all he needed to do was close his eyes and hold on tight to the stone and he'd feel happy. He said "Does it help if you're feeling nervous? Because Im a bit nervous today because I'm being a helper [at the hospital]." and I replied, "well yes but it mainly helps if you are feeling sad." He replied "well, sometimes I feel sad because my brother is very sick." I felt so sad for him that I nearly cried but then he closed his eyes tightly and held onto the stone and then he looked up at me in amazement and said "Oh! it worked!" It really touched me and since then Ive always made the effort to visit the hospital when I can. Lately I've been bringing along my magic tricks. I had fun the other day with a little girl who had a magic wand that she really believed was magic once we'd used it to dissapear some silks etc. |
Rupert Bair Inner circle ? 2179 Posts |
Mighty fool, Its nice to see you are giving something back as a perfomer. I love the placebo that fairy sarah talked about, if kids belive in minor things like that then the placebo effect works. Den's right about the answer, don't let them no you can't do magic, just that sometimes you cant do everthing.
Matt |
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
There is no way not to cry. But that, as much as anything else, is the gift you give - perhaps you reduce their tears a bit and pay for it by taking them on yourself, secretly.
|
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Well if your intention was to make a grown man cry then congratualtions.
|
The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
It got easier after that. And I always loved their reactions. (I never did get a date with Sara though!) *sigh*
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
|
Andy Wonder Special user Auckland, New Zealand 747 Posts |
Last year I was asked to perform at the birthday of a girl that was terminally ill. It was booked in for a Saturday afternoon, but it had to be cancelled at short notice. The girl was too sick to do anything. This was one situation where I felt it appropriate to waive the standard cancellation clause in my contract.
Andy Wonder, Auckland, New Zealand
|
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
I had a fete booked last year, it was cancelled the day before because the bloke organising it died, I didn't charge them either.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Thanks to all who shared on this thread.
You all have spread some real magic and perhaps also been touched with some. I still remember the time I shared with a young 5 and 1/2 year old wonderful girl who was also living with bone cancer. I was playing with my puppets with her. Make them dance she said. They did... Make them sing ... They did Make them die...... Chills still go up on my neck. I count my blessing and am grateful for what I have... ... .. and also what I don't have..... My other hat is as a Nearly Normal Counselor/Prevention Specialist at a Middle and High School. One of my groups is the loss/grief group for students who have had friends or relatives pass away/die. I have learned so much from them and their families. We laugh, cry, share, and yes sometimes do a bit of magic. Be safe and creative...... and risk sharing you. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Leland Stone Inner circle 1204 Posts |
"There are things that no Magician can do...and this is one of them.
Please don't feel sad that Magic cannot bring that person back to you. The one you miss so terribly now lives in a land where neither tears nor shadows ever fall, a place beyond the reach of hurt or need of medicine. They did not wish to leave, and though their leaving caused you sorrow, they took with them their love for you. They love you still, as you love them. In your Love, you have more Magic than I or any other Magician could ever dream of offering." |
Yfirum New user 73 Posts |
These posts hit me hard...
congrats for your great reactions! yfirum |
The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
Whoah, LeLand...that was deep man!
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Only the STOUTEST hearts need apply..... (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |