View Full Version : Helping Veterans in a VA Nursing Home


harrythemagician
08-12-2009, 06:27 PM
True story - In the mid 1970's I used to work in A Veterans Extended Care Nursing Facility and very often I was asked to do Magic shows, Balloons or both. One time in Particular comes to mind, quite often in fact. One of my Friends at the Facility was a Speech Pathologist working with disabled Vets. One Veteran she was working with hadn't talked in almost a year due to some sort of mental trauma. I was asked to do some one on one close-up magic for him. I immediately said yes and that it would be an honor and pleasure (It always is a nice feeling). For my opening trick I did my "Three Card Monte" routine. The Vet sat there staring at me and the cards. When the trick was over, the surprise ending seemed to do the trick because the Veteran said his first word in what seemed to be an eternity. "Damn". Not quite a sentence but it was a start.

This might have been the first "Magic Therapy" and I'm willing to do it again and again and again if only i can find the venue. I think, instead of contacting the Volunteer Dept. I'll call the Speech or Psych. Dept.

Jodie
08-12-2009, 09:19 PM
What a heart warming story Harry. Thanks for sharing it.
God will give you many blessing.

HAPPYNOW
08-12-2009, 10:36 PM
Sure hope you can get into another place that is a wonderful way to help... And for the vets i bet they play card sometimes to pass the time.. So i am sure they can relate to them...