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Amazing Doctor Makes Ill Children Smile By Dancing With Them On The Ward

Mark Cunliffe

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Amazing Doctor Makes Ill Children Smile By Dancing With Them On The Ward

Featured Image Credit: Caters

A doctor has helped to make ill children smile again my dancing with them on the ward.

Of course, laughter is the best medicine and this doctor has found the best way to make sure that his patients get lots of giggles.

Paediatric neurosurgery physician assistant Tony Adkins, 42, from California had tried to find a way to cheer his patients up post-op and after deciding to burst out into a dance one day the activity has become part of his daily treatment.

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Tony believes that smiling and being more interactive with patients is more powerful than some pain medication, and dances with all of his patients at the Children's Hospital of Orange County.

Now nicknamed the 'dancing doc' he hopes that he can protect the 'magic of childhood' in all of his patients despite their prognoses.

Army veteran Tony, said: "Dancing with patients is important because it adds levity and joy to the hospital experiences.

"What I'm doing is right in with CHOC's commitment to preserving the magic of childhood and ensuring patients don't have to put their childhoods on pause.

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Credit: Caters
Credit: Caters

"Studies show that when people laugh, smile and become more interactive, the effect on the brain is more powerful than some pain medications. 'It has a clinical value as it allows me to assess a patient's physical abilities, mobility and recovery process."

Recently, Tony had a patient who was nervous to get out of bed after surgery but an invitation to dance got him up and moving.

Tony said: "After we finished dancing, he kept going and starting doing laps around the hospital floor - it was awesome to see.

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"Nurses have told me that when patients get admitted to the unit, they will ask for me specifically. 'I'm not formally trained in dance, but I've always loved music and movement.

Credit: Caters
Credit: Caters

"If I can help to instill a love of music and dance in my patients, in addition to improving their outcomes and outlooks, that's a wonderful thing.

"There's nothing better than seeing a smile on my patient's faces or to hear them laugh - it's self-care for me too.

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"I will definitely continue to dance with my patients - it's become an integral part of my treatment and care for children.

"Nothing is more important than the health of a child, and I am so lucky to play an integral role in that."

Topics: Life News, Real

Mark Cunliffe
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