Noodles the clown makes connection with patients
“We do hospital clowning in Houston through Cheerful Clown Alley. One group goes to Texas Children’s Hospital, but I go to St. Luke’s.
“I feel more drawn to the older adults. I think adults need to smile way more than kids do. Kids can find joy in little things. Adults, senior citizens, they’re at the last stage of their lives. I just think there needs to be more joy there.
“One time I entered a hospital room, and the lady was waiting for hospice. But you have to put on your clown face because she asked you to come into her room to give her a smile. That can be tough, but you know you’re touching someone’s heart at a very difficult moment in their life. It’s a very meaningful connection that you make.
“As you learn the whole trade of clowning you pick up different things, like a little magic, balloons, face painting. I discovered puppets. I started with little Donut. He’s a squirrel, and his favorite nuts are ‘do-nuts.’ He’s a rescue squirrel. The firemen had to come get him because he was stuck in the ‘pan-tree.’ He doesn’t talk, so he just plays peekaboo. I take him to special needs events, and the kids love him.
“I also have a priest puppet named Father Felix that I use sometimes. A friend made him a little collar and costume. And last Christmas, my son and his wife gave me a Jesus puppet. I haven’t developed a voice for him yet. Not really sure how I’m going to do that? No pressure there, coming up with a voice for Jesus.”
— Linda “Noodles” Cooper
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