Hollister resident Dave Bulman Jr. has found an amusing form of
treatment to supplement his ongoing chemotherapy for melanoma
– laughter.
For almost two years he and his father, Dave Bulman Sr., have
been attending meetings of the Hollister Laughter Club.
Hollister resident Dave Bulman Jr. has found an amusing form of treatment to supplement his ongoing chemotherapy for melanoma – laughter.
For almost two years he and his father, Dave Bulman Sr., have been attending meetings of the Hollister Laughter Club.
“It helps my attitude with things that are happening and things that aren’t happening,” Bulman Jr. said. “And I like to laugh.”
The cancer, which began almost three years ago as a small spot on his leg, has resulted in two surgeries and the current chemotherapy treatments Bulman endures.
“He’s laughing his way to health,” Bulman Sr. said.
Robin Pollard, facilitator of the club, said she became interested in this type of club when she read about the topic in U.S. News and World Report. They were established in public parks in India by Dr. Madan Kataria in 1996, as a yoga technique of laughter therapy that combined deep breathing exercises.
The Hollister Laughter Club was the first club to be introduced in California, which now boasts 13 throughout the state. Almost 300 clubs in public parks around the country now help people begin their days with a smile.
“The clubs are held in the morning because all the benefits you get from laughing carry you through the day,” Pollard said. “Then you’re able to take the things that happen during the day better.”
To lead the club, Pollard had to fly to Ohio for a three-day training certification period in order to gain her laughter leader status.
In addition to leading the twice-weekly meetings, Pollard also does laughter seminars for facilities like the University of California, Davis Cancer Center.
“I laugh them through a half-hour session, giving them the benefits and wonderful effects of laughter,” she said.
About once a month she will receive a call from different venues, requesting her services, she said. While the park-based meetings are free to anyone and everyone, she charges a fee to larger facilities.
“I take my laughter on the road,” she said. “One of these days I’m going to laugh myself to the bank, but I’m still waiting for that.”
Sometimes the club attracts eight people, four people, or only one, but rain or shine, people or not, it is always there.
“You could set your clock by this club,” said club participant Debbie Briber. “I really give credit to Robin and the Daves’ – they’re always here.”
The club will soon have a small taste of fame by being on a local TV program. “Bay Area Backroads” will air a two and a half minute segment on the club Oct. 26, Pollard said.
While some people may find it strange or a little funny, the meeting provides participants a good reason to get up in the morning, Bulman Sr. said.
“In the mornings Dave says, ‘Well what are we going to do today?’ and I tell him, ‘Well, first we’re going to go laugh,'” he said.
