JJ, demonstrates a creative and unusual approach to his work, with quite spectacular results! Combining his background as a professional entertainer in the circus, pantos and holidays parks, together with his extensive training, he has developed an unconventional, therapeutic approach to people with a dual sensory loss – and it works!
"We are very fortunate to benefit from the unusual abilities of JJ. He proves again and again that he is able to break through the invisible walls that imprison profoundly deafblind people when other trained and experienced staff have faltered………"
Monica o'brien
Deafblind uk
RUSSIA
The memory of one deafblind man will stay with me forever. I found him cowering in his bed, under his blanket. The nurse pointed to her eyes, ears and mouth, shook her head and indicated for us to move on as if it was no use talking to this person. Many deafblind people are kept in psychiatric wards simply because they cannot see or hear and no one can communicate with them..
I approached this deafblind man whilst my hand was being held tightly by the nurse, who would not let go, in fear of my safety I assumed. I sat on his bed, stroked his head, he instantly stopped shaking. He was lying on his back, both his hands grabbed my left arm. I then placed my hands over his in BSL Hands On position. No sooner than my hands were on his he sat up and was smiling. He hugged me really tightly. At this point I was crying.
He obviously had the ability to communicate using Hands On BSL ( british sign language ) but because no-one had cared about him for many years, he had just withdrawn into his dark silent world. It was a good hour before I left.
David, a young man without sight, hearing or speech, had lost all interest in the outside world. With very few memories or life experiences, his life was just something to be endured. By the time he came into the care of Deafblind UK he had withdrawn totally.
David is now a completely different man. By using Davids only communication (touch) and my clowning and support skills, I have uncovered a bright young man willing to have fun and eager to experience life. He now socialises whenever possible and his laughter can be heard throughout our head office when he hoovers the carpets (yes, he’s even got a paid job now!). I know that I have played a major part in this transformation!
JJ
HOLLAND
My clowning with Deafblind people took me to holland where i met a frail, elderly deafblind lady who spent most of her time sat in a chair. She had no sight and no hearing but had been a Sign Language user. She had not spoken for many years.
She had a framed photo of her late husband at her side and JJ could see that the husband was completely bald and sporting a very long moustache. As a Clown Doctor, he always travels with the tools of his trade (props) and had a false moustache which he stuck to his top lip and gently raised this lady’s hands to his face, placing her fingers to the moustache. He then traced her hands across his face to the top of his head (which also was shaven!) and gave her the photo frame to hold. He did this several times and each time her smile got bigger and bigger until she finally laughed and called out her husband’s name. JJ interpreted his name back onto her hand in BSL alphabet.
When JJ turned around to see what the commotion was behind him, he could see two members of staff very tearful, as this was the first time they had heard this lady make a sound, let alone laugh!
JJ had made a small breakthrough in communication which, hopefully, would lead to this lady stepping back into the world once more. He spent time with staff, encouraging them to be more patient, more encouraging and showing them how easy it was to learn the BSL alphabet. He also left his moustache!
PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION
FOOD FOR THOUGHT……
The human spirit is strong, so too is the need to communicate with others. Losing both sight AND hearing is one of the most challenging experiences a human being can endure. For example, when someone has no hearing, they can be taught to communicate through sign languages, through lip-reading. When someone loses their sight, they rely heavily on their hearing to access their world. To lose BOTH sight AND hearing is the greatest challenge.
Deafblindness strikes at the very heart of what most of us regard as the human experience: the ability to make sense of the rich and varied world around us through what we see and hear.
To effectively support people who are BOTH deaf AND blind requires a different approach and very different responses. In every area of life deafblindness renders a human being isolated, dependent and hugely disadvantaged – unless special understanding and support is offered. A Clown Doctor can provide that special understanding to those who have already lost so much.
"As experts in the field of deafblindness, we recognise the amazing opportunity for deafblind people in having access to this complementary style of support."
Monica o'brien
Deafblind uk
Please consider making a donation to my work
If you have looked at this blog and feel that you can help in anyway
( it dosent have to be money )
please do not hesitate to contact us
all money donations for clowning trips and my volunteer work
or any other donations such as toys, props, magic, days out, puppets, concert or show tickets etc please contact jj direct:
j-j
extremeclowning@hotmail.co.uk
mobile 07967017021
thank you for your help and interest
everyone can make a differance.
