As she raised her hand to say the Magician’s Oath, eight-year-old Ashley Galarza of Aurora, sparkled. Local magician, John Kurth had just played a card trick on her and now he was showing her how to perform her own magic trick so she could fool her friends. Galarza giggled, then waved her hand over the trick and yelled, “Abracadabra!” Before she knew it, the ball disappeared right before her eyes.
Kurth is from the not-for-profit group Open Heart Magic. Based in Chicago, Open Heart Magic provides bedside magic to pediatric patients at six Chicago area hospitals. Run by volunteers, the organization requires everyone to pass a background check and enroll in a 12-week training program that includes more than a curriculum of magic tricks. Volunteers learn empowerment techniques that incorporate magic as therapy. They also learn how to work with patients with any medical situation regardless of developmental, physical or linguistic restrictions. Children are able to use their imagination to experience joy, wonder and healing.
Every Tuesday, magicians from Open Heart Magic visit pediatric patients at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Ill. Kurth and fellow magician, Michael Stevens of Lake Barrington, both feel privileged to bring a sense of empowerment to the children’s lives.
“When you get that smile back, it melts your heart,” said Kurth.
In the short time the magicians are bedside, they not only perform tricks, but also teach children how they work so they can perform the tricks for their family. The magicians are able to help children find confidence in a difficult situation by taking their minds away from what is happening in the present so they can look forward to the future.
In one of the most memorable moments, Kurth made a scarf disappear. Kurth asked nine-year-old Thomas Downey of Batavia, “Where do you want the scarf to go…Over by the window?” Downey took a deep breath and blew into the magician’s fist. All of a sudden, magical powers made the scarf disappear and fly across the room. Kurth leaned over to the window, a few feet away from Downey and produced the scarf. Downey laughed in astonishment.
Even the nurses were entertained by the magicians. Taking a short break from a busy day, Susan Vandermerkt, a nurse from Glendale Heights, opened her palm to discover the two sponge balls the magician gave her magically transformed into six. Having the magicians on the unit released tension after another tough day of nursing. The exchange allowed Vandermerkt a few precious seconds to forget she works with very sick children – a job that is often hard on the heart strings.
According to the Open Heart Magic website, magic has therapeutic value by decreasing tension, gaining trust and establishing a rapport. Magic also breaks down barriers for children who are scared, isolated and resistant. Both magicians agreed that the opportunity to bring joy to a child’s face is priceless.
To help bring magic to pediatric patients, visit www.openheartmagic.org.
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