Meet Zedd! CHEO's new therapeutic clown
CHEO's new therapeutic clown received quite the welcome parade Wednesday as he made his way to different locations lifting spirits of patients, their families and staff.
"Oh wow, where to start," Zedd said. "It means a lot. I'm honoured."
Zedd takes over from Mollypenny, who retired last year.
"Having the support of the therapeutic clown, having the support of therapeutic arts things that which children can bond with…to use the word imagination it explores that, it explores creativity of what the child can do on their own within those boundaries of the hospital and the empowerment associated with it," Zedd said.
He likes to juggle, play the ukulele and his costume includes overalls that are made up of 527 individually cut patches—one of his favourites was a gift from Mollypenny, who was on hand for a symbolic passing of the rubber chicken, one of her signature accessories.
"The entire legacy that came before with Mollypenny has been something that has offered me so much to build upon."
Zedd! is the new therapeutic clown at CHEO. (Katie Griffin/CTV News Ottawa)
The therapeutic clown program at CHEO is made possible through donor dollars.
"We often say at CHEO we've got everything from A to Z and now we actually have a Zedd, we've got this clown," said Alex Munter, CHEO's president and CEO. "Even when they're in hospital when they're sick, maybe especially when they're in the hospital and sick we need to do everything we can to give them a chance to be kids and the clowning program is one part of that."
Zedd said he's up for the challenge.
"Bring some fun and levity and light back into lives of people, their families, especially these kids who are dealing with what they're dealing with."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.