New York physician conquers phobias with cascades

By Dr. Steve Allen Horseheads, New York

 

In my seven years as a family practitioner in southern New York State, I've always been a bit of a clown. This respect for a sense of silliness in the practice of medicine explains my tremendous excitement at learning to juggle a year ago.

 

I put three balls in each of my exam rooms and have found them a great icebreaker with young people fearing anticipation of possible 'shots.'

 

Four-year-old Adrienne had spent the better part of the previous evening in the emergency room with abdominal pain. The physicians were concerned about possible appendicitis, but sent her home with instructions to see me the following morning.

 

I spent the first to minutes of our visit attempting to calm her down while she sat clinging to her mother, sobbing continuously.

 

After some minutes of unsuccessful efforts to examine her, and to give everyone in the room a break (myself included), I offered to juggle for her younger brother. I promptly lost the rhythm and two balls bounced into the corners of the room. He took off for one and Adrienne, who had stopped crying, climbed down out of her mother's lap to pick up the other. As she returned it to me with a big smile she asked me to juggle "s'more." I was only too glad to comply.