Ollie Pale, the therapeutic clown at Children’s Hospital LHSC aka Ken Sperling introduced the club to his work with the children.  Supported by the Children’s Health Foundation he is a non-medical staff member who helps to normalize children’s lives during their hospital visits. He is spontaneous, witty, playful and takes pride in making people happy.  Ollie has been at the hospital since 2004.

A good laugh relaxes tense muscles, sends more oxygen into the lungs and lowers blood pressure.  Laughter is infectious and smiles are contagious.

Ollie provides individual and small group activities in patient rooms, playrooms and hallways.  He offers a fun-filled distraction from the medical side of their day.

The patient decides whether or not the clown may enter his/her room to play and how they would like to interact with him.

Unlike the circus clown who plays to the crowd, he is not loud, and does not use a lot of costume and make-up.

Ollie uses 5 approaches in his work: listening, humor, play and empowerment, friendship and companionship and trust.  He makes a lot of use of the “O” ball, sometimes a video clip helps to reduce fear and anxiety, glove balloons and magic tricks – anything that will put a smile on someone’s face.  As needed in the situation he can be smart and he can be silly.  Sometimes he introduces good hospital manners such as saying please and thank you, tidying up their toys.

It’s not surprising that from time to time he is invited to children’s parties at home and even for a sleep over.

Doug Burnard (Past District Governor) gives Trudy a cheque for dictionaries distributed to Grade 3 children in Elgin Co.