LAUGH YOURSELF HEALTHY

[Chekesha Showers]

LAUGHTER IS FOR MORE THAN JOKES

9/13/2010

From fellow C.ertified L.augh L.eader

I have been leading laughter sessions with a brain injury rehabilitation group for the last year. It has been an incredible experience. I have found that due to different degrees of brain injury, there is a realm of difference between each member's level of functioning and memory. Energy levels vary from session to session and the participants are sometimes challenging to keep engaged depending on this. I find that if I keep up the momentum that the group tends to do better than if there are any lulls in activity.

My last few sessions have been very rewarding. One fellow, Colin, who has to be reminded every fifteen minutes that he does not smoke, introduces himself to me every twenty minutes or so, yet calls one of the agency volunteers by my name. Somewhere in his memory, he has learned my name but struggles with associating my name with my face. One of the young ladies, Beth, signs and rarely speaks any words. However, in more recent laughter sessions, she can sometimes be heard saying, "Ha, ha" as she smiles. She signs along with the rest of the group as we clap and chant, "Ho, ho, ha, ha, ha." A year ago, she didn't make much of an effort to participate. Now when she sees me, she blows me a kiss, which is what she does to the people who are important to her. Very cool. Another participant, Laura, who has difficulty talking due to past surgery, is able to share some of the things that she enjoys doing. Last week when I asked if anyone remembered airplane safety laughter, Laura started going through the motions of the exercise! Staff and volunteers were astounded that she remembered the exercise. (This agency is now providing a host-site for us to train more laughter leaders.)

The staff, volunteers and rehab participants all very much enjoy the discussions we have about Good-Hearted Living. I encourage them to make some type of goal in regard to a daily practice. Last session, Jessie, who rarely smiles but often compliments, vowed to try to smile when he says hello to someone. It is such a wonderful experience to work with this group of people.

Still laffing out loud,

Helen L. Bzdel BA BSW RSW (SK) CLL CLYL CTRTC

World Laughter Tour Trainer
Certified Laughter Leader & Certified Laughter Yoga Leader
Registered Social Worker
Approved Mental Health Therapist with First Nations & Inuit Health
Choice Theory/Reality Therapy Certified
Clinical Consultant for Saskatoon Search & Rescue