Funny Bones is an anthropocentric clowning group which visits pediatric, geriatric, and disabled patients in the hospital and nursing home setting.

What is this model of clowning all about?

  • you don't have to be talented, make ballons, perform skits, or even be "funny"
  • we clown to engage patients, not to simply entertain them
  • we don't wear lots of face paint
  • we don't wear huge shoes and rainbow-colored wigs
  • we do clown compassionately for patients who are often neglected and deprived of attention because of their illnesses

Our primary goal is to restore a sense of worth and control to each patient, despite their illness, level of cognitive competence, and age. Through clowning and clown training sessions you will learn how to accept your own vulnerability so that you can care for the vulnerabilities of others. You'll be amazed at what others will allow you to do—indeed, what you will allow yourself to do—when you put on a red nose.

Please go to http://www.yale.edu/funnybones for more information.