A magic touch

A Magic Hospital volunteer plays with kids suffering from congenital heart disease at Beijing Huaxin Hospital. Provided to China Daily

An organization offers the right dose of laughter to treat children with terminal diseases or other disadvantages. Laura Nichols reports.

Every day he wakes up is a miracle. When 2-year-old orphan Xiao Xiao was admitted to Beijing Huaxin Hospital's pediatric cardiac ward, his skin was blue. Doctors performed life-saving surgery to reverse the effects of his pulmonary disorder. But every day spent in the hospital is a reminder of his congenital heart disease.

That is, except for the days when Magic Hospital volunteers arrive, armed with candy, books and games.

At one recent play session, initially shy children soon start laughing and interacting with the volunteers and the other children. By the end of the day, the only tears shed were for the volunteers - whom the children didn't want to see go.

Two-year-old Cong Cong's laughter turned into cries when the volunteers stepped into the elevator to leave.

The more outgoing Rui Rui, 5, tells the volunteers he looks forward to his new friends' return. He says he is most excited "to tell a story again".

At such sessions, children's stories are pantomimed, colorful pictures are drawn and games are played. This spurs competition among the children to see who will be the next to win a coveted lollipop.

Shrieks of laughter coming from the sunlit room give every indication these children have something in common - something more than their love of candy or their matching smocks.

Every child has a congenital heart disease. Some are recovering from life-saving surgeries at Huaxin Hospital.

Magic Hospital volunteers make no mention of any conditions the children might have, however severe they might be. They are like any other children, allowed to shed - even if only for an afternoon - the constant reminder of what keeps them in the hospital.

Magic Hospital is the driving force behind bringing smiles to children, whether they have disabilities, live in an orphanage or are at-risk. It has engaged 18,000 children in Beijing and the surrounding area in the last two years, Storytelling program coordinator Morgan Hutchinson says.

Frenchwoman Claudia Vogg, who wanted more emphasis placed on children's programs, started Magic Hospital in 2003. The China-based organization also runs programs in France, volunteer communications coordinator Maggie Hicks says.

Magic Hospital has developed ways for anyone anywhere to better children's lives - whether through directly interacting with the children, joining such activities as the Storytelling program or donating money.

Hutchinson says making a difference in children's lives is "so important", especially because they often don't have anyone else.

The flagship program in China is what essentially gave Magic Hospital its name, Hutchinson says.

In the Clowns & Co project, a clown travels around hospitals to perform magic for pediatric patients. The program has since expanded to include other events, such as outdoor days or the Abracadabra program that grants wishes to terminally ill children.

The nonprofit organization is always looking for more volunteers.

"We really believe that 'laughter is the best medicine'," Hutchinson says. "If we can make them happy, then we can help them in every aspect of their lives."

First-time volunteer Yu Zhouying says she came across the Magic Hospital website when she was looking for a way to make a difference. Not only is she very happy with the decision to join but also plans to continue with her efforts, she says.

"It's so fun," the 24-year-old second-year graduate student says.

"They're responding well."

She says the children are warming up to her and her 24-year-old partner, Pei Wei.

"They didn't talk a lot before," Yu says.

She explains there are reminders of misfortune everywhere but that is not something children diagnosed with terminal diseases need as a constant in their lives. They need to be able to have fun and be treated like they are no different from any other child, she believes. If she can bring them happiness, then she is happy, she says.

"Although these kids are (diagnosed with) severe diseases, they act so excited (and love) playing games and being told stories," Yu says.

"It makes me feel my work is not about helping someone in trouble but simply about having fun with them."

Dr Tong Xiaoling, a resident in Huaxin Hospital's pediatric cardiac ward, says some patients are admitted immediately after birth. Sometimes, the ward's 44 beds aren't enough to accommodate all of the patients, many of whom are orphans.

Some children have traveled from other parts of the country because their heart diseases are too complex for other hospitals to treat. While more than 50 percent of patients are cured through life-saving surgery, Tong says some patients are admitted too late, because their symptoms were previously undetectable.

There is something "more meaningful" in curing babies, he believes. The support from Magic Hospital volunteers gives the young patients a much-needed boost, he says.

Tong says the interactions with volunteers are good for the children - especially for the orphans, who don't normally receive any extra care.

Time spent with the volunteers does more than repair what surgery did, it cures the emotional scars that diseases leave in a child's heart. "You need patience," he says. "If there's no love in your heart - forget it."