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A ladybug mascot named LadyBetes shows readers
how to control the disease through 50 color cartoons
and resource/definition lists. Garnero wrote,
designed, and produced the book. In addition,
she is donating half of the book’s proceeds
to diabetes research.
“I hope this will be a fun and useful tool
for both patients and health care practitioners,”
Garnero said. “Diabetes is on the rise and
so many people, including doctors and nurses,
don’t have a strong knowledge base of the
disease.”
Garnero wanted to produce something different
than a medical textbook or a text-heavy brochure
that a patient might be reluctant to read.
“The Centers for Disease Control has declared
diabetes a disease that has reached epidemic proportions,”
she said. “This book is my attempt to do
something innovative to raise awareness of the
disease.”
(Garnero’s book can be ordered by calling
Book Surge at (843) 579-0000, Ext. 00.)
Clowning around
When Donna Smilow, RN, of Martinez, Calif., gets
ready for work, she often trades in her usual
attire of surgical scrubs for an outrageously
colorful clown outfit, wig, nose, and grease paint.
After transforming herself into her alter ego,
Lovee’e the Clown [www.loveeetheclown.com],
Smilow is ready to make the rounds at a local
children’s hospital.
A trauma surgical nurse in the San Francisco
Bay Area, Smilow became a caring clown six years
ago. After working in the trauma field for 16
years, and experiencing more death and despair
than many people see in a lifetime, Smilow was
looking for a change of pace and a way to incorporate
harmony into her life. A television show on clowns
led her to a career in clowning.
“I truly consider Lovee’e to be my
blessing,” she said.
Smilow has entertained adults and children throughout
the Bay Area at schools, hospitals, birthday parties,
and other events. Using her stage name, she brings
smiles to the masses through her unique brand
of comedy, juggling, and magic.
A staunch believer of therapeutic humor in hospitals,
Smilow often relies on comedy to relieve stress
among her patients about to undergo surgery.
“Sometimes donning a clown nose or laughing
with patients can put them at ease,” Smilow
said. “Children especially react well to
humor and are able to better understand procedures
when you explain them in a friendly and fun manner.”
Smilow, president and co-founder of the East
Bay Clown and Magician Club, is also the official
clown for John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek’s
pediatric oncology unit. Every holiday, she visits
the children to raise spirits and spread cheer.
Recently, Smilow added certified childbirth educator,
hypnobirthing practitioner, hypnotherapist, and
life coach to her list of credentials. She now
offers classes for pregnant women who wish to
deliver their babies using hypnotherapy techniques.
Through hypnobirthing, pregnant women and their
spouses learn how to achieve a pleasant and less
painful birth experience. The technique allows
women a rewarding, relaxing, and stress-free method
of birthing based on the belief that all babies
should come into the world in an atmosphere of
gentility, calm, and joy.
“I’m very excited about the new avenues
my life has taken. I’m living my real-life
daydream,” said Smilow, who recently celebrated
her 40th birthday. “I believe that the second
half of my life is about bringing more joy and
laughter into the lives of patients.”
To
comment on this story, send e-mail to editormtw@nurseweek.com.
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