Extreme clowning started back in 2003
when i was working for a charity called Deafblind uk.
it had been brought to my attention that there was very little quality of life and also very little encouragement towards this.
So i started to adapt and use my skills which i had used previousley when i had worked as a childrens entertainer / clown.
this would enable humour and fun and create bonds and trust.
which in turn would enable myself and others to encourage to try new things, and live a little.
Within a couple of years things had turned themselves around and people had been brought out of themselves due to my unconventional way of working.
i was organizing and encouraging theater trips, days out , concerts etc
events which had previously not been considerd or suggested- well why would they if they cannot see of hear?
But no one had asked these people before , everyone just assumed.
to me that sounds like a cop out!
i cannot swim - but i still like to go in the water!
nothing was impossible , if you cannot see or hear, then touch and smell !
i was receiving support from all over towards my work and what i was doing.
whatever i was given - i found a use for it
that is one thing i have learnt, never turn anything down
there will always be someone somewhere who will grab the opportunity - whatever it maybe
i was asked to go and talk in holland at a deafblind center about my clowning / work
i was also asked to attend a clown trip with patch adams in 2004 where we visited a large deafblind orphanage.
i left Deafblind uk in 2008
It sadly became more about the money and less about the people.
but i continue to organise volunteer trips and experiences and funding
to enable these people to access the world of entertainment and popular culture
fromm W.W.E to lapdancing!
i have a small yet professional group of volunteers who offer there services ( inc my wife )
all who are C.R.B checked
all can produce Deafblind mannual
1 haptic signing
some b.s.l level 1,2
we have many professionals, and colleagues who will vouch for our work.
we are not a registerd charity
just a small group of people who have seen what a differance the little things in life can make.
and enjoy raising a smile and creating a memory.
CLOWNING WITH DEAFBLIND PEOPLE
Everybody needs to laugh
when i tell people what i do they always think im messing about , then i say " no ,im serious i am a clown for people who cannot hear or see me "
then they ask " whats the point ? "
there are many of reasons but the main ones for me are firstly from my experience along with loosing your hearing and sight also comes depression , secondly the people i work with rely on me to help them live there life to the full ,to tell them about new foods,places,clothes,experiences that they may like to try ,i am there as a tool to enable them to access the thousands of things that they dont know about the laughter and clowning aspect helps me to gain there trust and form a bond so i can introduce theese new things and they will trust me ,and that your judgement is good
this will then hopefully lead to them having more choice and a better quality of life
each new experience whether it may be something stupid like a new type of cola to something huge like planning a holiday abroad comes with a whole bunch of other new experiences for them to tackle and learn from along the way.
The use of humour in my work was not a part of my job description,i use it because it makes a difference,i do what i do because it enhances the process.
its not compulsive but i have made it compulsive and i am the only person who works in the way that i do.
without the humour there is no moving forward
for some people they are happy where they are but for others they have such a thirst for life and want to know and try all of the things which they know they are missing out on , whatever they may be
so humour can be used in a huge motivational way or also just everyday , but you have to look at the situation and work out ways how this can be acheived
jokes are a waste of time as they dont translate very well ,pulling a funny face will have no impact at all unless they can feel your face why you are pulling it.....
i tend to use movement as i am constantly attatched to the deafblind person by a linking arm for guiding purposes.
this movement has to be carefully executed as after all i am guiding this person and there safety is my top priority.
i may also change my speed and pressure when i am communicating with deafblind mannual , this can relay different emotions and moods-
i may change my walk or i may change my speed
i may stand still or just stop and face them and they will feel and sense my change of emotion or movement and 9 out of ten times,laugh
some of the people i work with will then retaliate by tapping me on the shoulder ,with which i will turn around using the whole of my body to see who it was
this they will feel as my movement is made large and over exagerated.
and there begins the start of a double act formed by laughter and trust
i use this humour the same as i would with a hearing sighted person , when i think it is needed.
im not laughing and walking stupid 24 hours a day! but i know that i have that as a tool , it works in different ways with different people, not everybodys humour is the same
and i learn how far to go with different people and also when it could harm or inhance a situation.
touch, smell, taste are what i have to work with.
the element of surprise is always present,i use toys and puppets, puzzles, hats, wigs...when you sit and think the list in endless.
i try things and if they get a reaction then i keep them if they don't then i get rid of them!
It is not stereo typical clowning , but it can be.
a lot of what i do is very subtle and i tend to use it more to help and enhance everyday living rather than as an entertainment yet i do dress at various party's that we have.
I also include as part of my clowning the encouragement to do things that others may say " whats the point " with the help of mannual communication and a few props anything is possible
many have a great love for the theater so i have guided deafblind people to see various shows
( see theatre page )
