Stories from the Ward
Have you ever wondered what it’s really like being a Clown Doctor? It’s about listening as much as laughing, noticing the smallest cues, and meeting people with warmth and care in moments that matter. In these Stories from the Ward, our Clown Doctors share powerful reflections from hospital life, moments of connection that stay with them long after the visit ends.
When bubbles turned fear into calm
My highlight today was an interaction with a young man, non-verbal with very high needs, when we brought absolute delight, relief, a complete change of mood and pure joy to this darling boy. I’ve never seen anyone rejoice more for bubbles. He knew what he wanted…’big bubbles please’…’more big bubbles please’. We blew bubbles continuously for an hour, we walked him into the room where he was being prepped for his rehab appointment and blew more bubbles. The nurse commented how much fun he was having, and mum and his carers took photo after photo of him being so happy, calm, engaged, and all covered in bubbles.
This beautiful interaction came to such a gentle and natural wind down, with his interest for the red finger light the nurse put on him and our extended play from this. We sang gentle songs using his name and changing the lyrics just for him. He was so calm going into his appointment. Mum, each carer, and the nurse, all mouthed the biggest, most sincere ‘thank you’. Mum then said to us ‘I couldn’t have taken another melt down today – thank you.’ We made the biggest change to this family today, and the nurse couldn’t believe her eyes. She was so grateful to us for being there.
Dr Stinky, Sydney Children’s Hospital, New South Wales
When calm arrived through music and care
In Rose Ward (Infants), I heard some very loud crying coming from a room down the hall so I made a bee line for it. There were quite a few healthcare workers doing a procedure with a little girl who was very upset and an older sibling (maybe 3yo) who was sitting cuddled into mum, very concerned and upset with whatever was happening with their little sister. I started playing music gently outside the room so as not to get in the way and the Doctors asked me to come in – so I did. The baby was still upset but the crying stopped as she became fascinated with my sparkles and the music. I continued playing after the procedure finished and they calmed right down.
A second procedure came afterwards, and she barely cried while I continued playing and singing and rustling my pom pom. After the procedures were over, I went over to the older sibling who was still a bit upset and offered some comfort in the form of stickers and an activity book. As I left one of the nurses approached and thanked me for the help, a great outcome overall.
Dr Dodo, Women and Children’s Hospital, South Australia
