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IN FOCUS: Laughter is the best medicine . . . so send in the clown
WHEN most of us want a laugh we watch a funny film, go to see a comedy show or read an amusing book. But imagine if you couldn't see or hear – what would bring light into your life then? Features Editor Rachael Gordon met JJ the clown to see how he is enriching the lives of deafblind people in Peterborough.
WHEN most of us want a laugh we watch a funny film, go to see a comedy show or read an amusing book. But imagine if you couldn't see or hear – what would bring light into your life then? Features Editor Rachael Gordon met JJ the clown to see how he is enriching the lives of deafblind people in Peterborough.HE wears pink furry trousers, big shoes and an orange flowery shirt. Perched on top of his head is a bowler hat, and today he is wearing a plastic pink pig's nose, too.
It may not sound like conventional work attire, but then JJ doesn't have an ordinary job.
He is paid to make people laugh. But 30-year-old JJ is far more than just a children's entertainer or circus clown. What he does is far more rewarding than that.
JJ works as a communicator guide support worker at Rainbow Court in Peterborough, Deafblind UK's training and rehabilitation centre.
JJ, whose real-name is Jonathan Lucia-Wright, explained: "I have always liked making people laugh, and from the age of 16 I used to do stand-up comedy around the pubs and clubs. When I finished doing my A-levels I knew I wanted to go into the entertainment business. I went to work at the Haven holiday parks as a children's entertainer and I loved it, playing the fool and getting paid to do it.
"But I always knew I didn't want to do that forever – I didn't want to end up like the grumpy old bloke who used to entertain the kids on Hi-De-Hi."
But it wasn't until the late 1990s, when the film Patch Adams came to the cinema screen, that JJ realised what his real calling in life was.
"When I heard about Patch Adams' clown doctors programme in America, where the philosophy is that laughter is the best medicine, I knew that I wanted to use the skills I had learned and put them to better purpose.
"And so after appearing in panto at The Cresset the year before last I decided to see what I could do. I went to the Jobcentre, saw this position advertised and decided to apply because I wondered if this would be a way to use my talents."
At first he was unsure about exactly how he would be able to use his skills.
But before long, JJ, who lives in Dingley Court, Westwood, realised a lot could be achieved with a little bit of fun and laughter.
He said: "The first thing I had to do was learn the deafblind manual – a kind of sign language you use on a deafblind person's hand – then I could communicate with the residents. It is a lot easier than it looks, and anyone could learn it in half an hour.
"I soon realised that because these people cannot see and hear, they do not have a lot of fun in their lives. They can't watch the television, go to the cinema or read a book.
"So I looked for other ways that I could teach them about things and get them to use their other senses.
"I started to experiment with tactile toys, things that move or vibrate to see if I could make them laugh. Much of what I do is about trial and error. I bring in a new toy to work, try it out, and if it makes people laugh then it stays – and if it doesn't, we try something else."
It means that, instead of paperwork and files, JJ's desk is piled high with toys including rubber chickens, water pistols and vibrating eggs.
He said: "What I try to do is get to know the people I am working with, find out their interests and see if I can introduce them to new things.
"For example, one of the people I work with is really into Harry Potter. So I have got copies of the books and I am using the deafblind manual to read them to him. We are about halfway through the second book."
One of the residents who JJ has built up a very close bond with is David O'Hare (35).
David has lived at Rainbow Court for four years. He was born deaf and had sight in one eye until he was 17. Now he is blind.
JJ said: "David does pottery and he loves animals, so I thought it would be great to take him to Aardman Animations – the place where they make Wallace and Gromit and the Creature Comfort programmes. We had a fantastic day, and they were wonderful to us. I had to explain to David what plasticine was, because he had never heard of it, and they let him touch all the different models."
JJ explained what he was telling me to David, and took his friend's hands and put them on his plastic pig's nose. David laughs and tells JJ he is a very funny man.
JJ said: "I also took David to Disneyland Paris, which was amazing, explaining everything to him and teaching him about Mickey Mouse, Tigger and the other characters. He had never even heard of Disney before, so it was quite a challenge telling him all about it.
"But he loved every minute of the trip. Mickey Mouse used the deafblind manual to say hello to him and took his hands to get him to feel his ears and costume.
"But the highlight of the trip was when they asked us to sit on the front float of the parade with Minnie and Mickey – David loved that."
They are not the only outings JJ and David have been on.
Before David lost his sight he could remember Sooty, so when the yellow bear came to Peterborough, JJ took David to the show at the Key Theatre.
JJ said: "I took a custard pie and a water spray and Sooty, Sweep and Sue puppets. Whatever happened on the stage, I acted out between me and David. By the end of the show we were soaked but David loved it. He laughed and laughed."
JJ added: "I don't look at this as a change of career –what I was doing before was training for what I am doing now.
"And I am so glad I took the plunge and applied for the job. It is so rewarding watching their faces light up. I know now this is where I am meant to be."
Chance of a lifetime – at a cost
JJ has been given the opportunity of a lifetime in November when he jets off to Russia to see Patch Adams.
JJ is among a group of 30 clowns from across the world who will join Patch on the Gesundheit Institute annual Clown Doctor Training Tour, from Moscow to St Petersburg, visiting orphanages, deafblind centres and hospitals.
Patch Adams has been taking his pioneering work all over the world for a number of years, and as a result Great Ormond Street Hospital in London now has a small team of Clown Doctors who work one-on-one with patients to improve recovery.
JJ will bring back his knowledge to further support and work with deafblind people.
The trips is costing 4,500, and Deafblind UK is appealing for sponsorship.
Actress and television presenter Lisa Riley gave her backing to JJ's trip and said: "I can't imagine my life without sound and sight. I believe the work JJ is doing is inspirational. I wish Deafblind UK every success in the training of the first-ever Clown Doctor for deafblind people."
• If you'd like to sponsor JJ, you can call Monica Evans on 01733 358100
Factfile – Deafblind UK
THERE are about 24,000 deafblind people in the UK, but these figures do not take into account the large number of elderly people who are losing both their sight and hearing.
Deafblind people have a combined sight and hearing loss, which leads to difficulties in communicating, mobility, and accessing information.
Deafblind UK is a national charity which has its headquarters in Hampton, Peterborough, which provides a range of support services to deafblind adults and their carers. It also campaigns on behalf of deafblind people.
>> www.deafblind.org.uk
Rainbow Court in Paston Ridings, Paston, Peterborough was built 35 years ago.
It is Deafblind UK's training and rehabilitation centre and provides a permanent home to 16 deafblind people.
It also provides short breaks for respite, mobility training, communication and daily living skills; and leisure activities for deafblind people living across the UK.
Every visitor is fully supported by a volunteer, who assists with guiding and communicating.
The complex also encloses a large see-by-touch garden, where deafblind people can
relax and enjoy the fragrance, texture and
bright colours of specially chosen plants and flowers.
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