Clearwater doctors prescribe "Comedy Carts" for Patients
Started 21 years ago at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, The Comedy Connection has grown by leaps and giggles. Today, over 120 caring clowns bring laughter to patients all over the area. More.
Comedy in the Hospital Setting: Stitches tells how it all started
In 1987 Leslie Gibson received a grant from the Humor project Inc. of Sarasota Springs, N.Y. to create a Cart, filled with comedy resources. The first one proved to be a little too cumbersome, so the smaller cart was designed to accommodate a TV screen, which played VHS videos. It is still used today. In 1990 the group was reorganized under the Morton Plant Auxiliary & became part of “The Comedy Connection Services”.
These carts are offered Monday through Friday from 12:00 to 4:00. The volunteers are clowns who have graduated from our Clown College.
The Comedy Cart is a cart with a video machine. Patients are offered this service free of charge. Over the years our movie selections has grown to over 450 movies. Since over the years movies have gone from VHS to DVD, so have our carts. As they have worn out we have started to replace them with new machines designed for DVD.
(Pictured above on right: Clowns, Gloria “Stitches” Welch & Maryellen “Cookie” Woods).
Vacationing Fisherman Cheered by Caring Clowns
No one wants to spend their vacation stuck in the hospital. But that’s what happened to a fisherman from Virginia, who's fishing plans turned overcast. But thanks to Sparkles and Sissie, Mease Dunedin caring clowns, this landlocked fisherman’s day was brightened “Look at me,” he said “surrounded by a pretty redhead and a girl with pink hair. I’m feeling better already." More.
Caring Clowns Share Laughter for over 21 Years
The Comedy Connection got its start when Leslie Gibson, a Morton Plant nurse proposed the idea of "comedy carts" and hospital clowns. From a single cart of funny movies, books and games, the program has grown. Over 600 clowns have graduated from "clown college" and 120 clowns now make "rounds" at several area hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. More
The Comedy Connection gets national coverage...
Leslie Gibson hits the airwaves, talking about therapeutic humor on The Phil Donohue Show.
Did you know clowns have alley meetings?
No, we don’t meet in alleys anymore, although clowns in the circus do, usually very near the animal pens, where they change into their costumes and hang out until they are called to perform. Glad I’m not a circus clown, peeyou! More.
Check out the graduation photos of all our clown classes
(from 2010 back to 1981)
A Good laugh goes along way. It...
Improves Circulation-The heart works harder when you laugh to move the blood and fluids around the body.
Increases Activity in the Lungs–The fast moving blood is richer in oxygen. The increased respiratory activity helps clean out the lungs.
Lowers Blood Pressure-The more you laugh, the lower it drops (and the longer it stays low)
Releases Pain-Reducing Hormones-(called catecholamine), decreasing your perception of pain.
Decreases Muscle Tension-Energy is drawn to the abdomen during laughter so the rest of your muscles relax.
Enhances Digestion–The increased activity produced by the laugh means more blood and oxygen in the system which improves the digestion rate by massaging the gastrointestinal system.
Lifts Spirits-Humor has the power to transport you out of the blues and into a better state of mind. It opens lines of communication and allows you to express a wide range of feelings. A smile and a laugh can communicate volumes.
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