Gracias friends for supporting me on my First Humanitarian Clown Mission this month! After a week living, laughing, taco'ing and clowning in community in Mexico City alongside Patch Adams, Susan Parenti, Dario Solina and over 25 clowns from around the world I'm back safe and sound'ish in Canada.
My journey with Patch Adams began in 2020 when I was in isolation recovering from pericarditis (Covid sidekick) and a C scare. I remembered the film and started down a rabbithole of him speaking at various institutions, doc clips of clowning work in war torn countries and eventually delved into the Gesundheit! website. Being an avid letter writer in my youth, I was excited to learn that while he doesn't use digital technology, he responds to all snail mail. I sent off a letter thanking him for his work and expressed my health concerns and he sent me his book which was inhaled. I sent him some music (creative arts have been a part of my healing journey since I was a child) and we exchanged several letters. He even called once to check in on me and invite me to be a part of his caring revolution. I vowed one day to do so and this month was IT!
How utterly bizarre that I would experience a flare-up of long dormant pericarditis (it's baaack) on the flight to Mexico! WHAT?! With a dramatic flight including an intern and stewardess taking my vitals and a paramedic crew awaiting with a wheelchair upon arrival, I was wheeled to meet other clowns and the driver in my groucho mask - humour intact throughout. Thankfully I received excellent medical treatment and was able to participate in 6/8 clown missions throughout the week and had un tiempo maravilloso! Pictured here are some of the kindred folks from around the world (Portugal, UK, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Argentina, US, Canada…) who brought the love, play, creativity, goofiness and música to people of all ages. Snapshots: Kiki and new friends! Patch, Susan and co. hanging at Hostal Cuija Coyoacan. Clowning at the Instituto Nacional de Pediatría. A gaggle of clowns listening to Patch speak in the courtyard of La Sagrada Familia.
