Giggle On Spotlight

I stumbled across a laughter toy over the weekend and INSTANTLY fell in LOVE. Please welcome Laffy Laffalot to the Giggle On Spotlight. Laffy is my new laughter inspiration.

Laffy is a toy designed to bring joy, happiness and laughter to children affected by trauma and illness.

Laffy’s creator, Steve Islava, knows that laughter has the power to heal. The Laffy toy delivers 20 styles of MP3 quality laughs and it gives a child the opportunity to listen to laughter on days when they feel like there is nothing to smile about.

Imagine being a child and trying to summon a giggle when you are:

1. waiting for the next doctor to arrive
2. getting stuck with needles
3. sitting in a hospital bed waiting for your parents to visit
4. in tremendous pain
5. in the middle of a chemo treatment

Girl Snags the Giggle

I was deeply moved reading the story in the OC Register and watching the video (below) of Steve Islava and his fellow firefighters and paramedics deliver Laffy toys to kids at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. My favorite part of this clip was watching the girl at the 1:08 mark snag the Laffy toy from Steve’s hands.  There’s no doubt that little girl understands the power of the almighty giggle. *laughing*

I Must Own A Laffy

As I move on my path delivering laughter to people I meet, I am constantly searching for new and interesting ideas designed to bring smiles to people’s faces. I’ve played with a kazoo, yodeling pickle (forward to 3:09), harmonica and Whoopie cushion. I know how to get people laughing without using jokes, props or humor (my Laughter Yoga Leader training showed me that) but I simply LOVE LOVE LOVE gadgets, tchotchke’s and toys.

Intermission

Hold the line. Hold the phone. Keep your pants on. *laughing* I gotta run on over to the Laffy site to order my own toy. I can’t wait to add this giggle machine to my personal laughter tool box. Mine. Mine. All mine.

…and we’re back…

Doing good feels good

Order a Laffy Laffalot toy (or two or three) and donate them to your local children’s hospital. A portion of the proceeds of each Laffy toy is donated to The National Children’s Cancer Society. Doing good feels good. Doing good IS good. Do good! Spread the laughter!

Yo Steve

I applaud you Steve Islava for creating a device designed to help children (and their parents) reclaim their giggles. Keep up the great work and by all means, Giggle On!

Update: 1/6/12

Laffy Laffalot made his very first visit to AI duPont Hospital for Children yesterday. With the help of the folks at the Laffy company, I procured a case of Laffy’s and delivered them personally to the Child Life Services Coordinator, Beth Carlough. I think this is the start of something REALLY BIG for kids, parents and caregivers. I am now plotting, planning and scheming  how I can make a bigger donation next time.

I might not be able to personally visit every sick child and deliver laughter, but Laffy can! Laffy is DA MAN (or is he a girl)??? Either way…I say, let’s go big or GO HOME! Who’s with me?

   Photo taken today inside the play area at AI duPont Hospital for Children. Art by unknown child patient.