Heart Attack Propels Ohio Educator to Lead International Humor Association (March 2007)

Cincinnati-- Not everyone is so lucky, and Lenny Dave knows it.  “But if you're going to have a heart attack, you might as well find some humor in it - and I made sure I did!”

Last month, as he celebrated his 50th birthday (and nearly two years after his cardiac ‘episode’), “Lenny”was elected to serve as President of AATH - the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (ttp://www.aath.org/).  The mission of this 20-year old international association is to advance the understanding and application of humor and laughter for their positive benefits.  Yes, the real “Patch” Adams is a member of AATH.  So are about 600 other professionals in the fields of health and wellness, seniors and aging, education, religion and business - all dedicated to promoting ‘healthy humor.’

Lenny speaks from first-hand cardiac experience, “No one chooses to have a heart attack or to get cancer.  But, our positive participation in the total recovery process, and our active involvement in coping with the medical situation is a conscious choice over which we do have control.  AATH focuses on humorand laughter which is healthy and helpful, not humor which is hurtful and harmful or used as a weapon at someone else's expense.”

In conjunction with his two-year presidential term, Lenny is setting out on a national speaking tour of wellness support groups and hospital staff gatherings to spread his fun, motivational message about bringing humor to the healing process.

And, just what are the positive benefits of humor and laughter?  Lenny rattles them off, “Raising (and then lowering) the heart rate, increasing circulation, exercising the lungs, oxygenating the blood, working the abdominal muscles, massaging the internal organs, relaxing muscle tension, reducing stress and anxiety, strengthening the immune system, lowering the level of stress hormones, increasing pain tolerance, and stimulating the pleasure centers of the brain.”

Lenny summarizes, “And best of all, you don't need a doctor's prescription, it’s available 24-7, it's non-toxic, it’s positively contagious, and it’s absolutely free... including fat-free and sugar-free!’

Beyond the physical benefits, Lenny reminds his audiences not to underestimate the emotional and psychological benefits such as simply improving one’s mood.  “The late Norman Cousins, author of ‘Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient’ (1979) was a true pioneer in the field.  He said it best - “The more laughter there is, the higher the quality of life; and the higher the quality of life, the greater the will to live.”

Twice nominated for “Speaker of the Year,” Lenny is a humorist, author and expert in the field of creative thinking.  “I'm not a doctor, but I will occasionally perform surgery on the human spirit!” he says with a buoyant grin.

When it comes to presenting his wellness programs, Lenny explains, “People going through the healing process need a break from the barrage of what I call ‘symptom seminars’ and ‘mold spore speakers.’  I think there comes a point where the intense, medical techno-jargon creates a genuine sense of numbness in the patient.  Every so often, people just need to relax, lighten up, have a few good laughs and forget about things for a while.”

Targeting the creative challenges of healthcare organizations, one of Lenny’s trademark red buttons says, “But We've Always Done It This Way” (with a big slash through it).  He points out, “That phrase is usually just a bold proclamation of premature, creative surrender.  There is always more than one right answer.  My goal is to help individuals and organizations learn to see things from a different perspective, to discover new possibilities, and to help them learn how to generate those new ideas.  The choice is simple: Either be proactive in helping to create the change, or be left behind to play catch up.”

As for finding the humor in his 2005 heart attack, Lenny shares, “Without question, the highlight came in the operating room.  I wanted the medical staff to know I was still very much alive.  I'm told they like that!  Moments before my angioplasty, as I lay on the operating table awaiting the ‘happy juice’ to start flowing into my I-V, I tilted my head to look over at the skilled surgeon whom I had met only briefly up in the Emergency Room.  He was all prepped in his sterile gown, rubber gloves and what looked like an OSHA-approved welder’s mask.  I knew that the guy had probably performed this procedure hundreds if not thousands of times.  But, with a semi-straight face, I had to inquire, “So Doc, have you EVER done one of these things before?”  With perfect vaudevillian timing and without missing a beat, he said, “Well, I tried it yesterday on the dog!”  His quick-witted, humorous response instantly put me at ease - or it could have just been the ‘happy juice,’ but at least I knew the guy still had a sense of humor, even at this critical, surgical moment.  And, I think I also felt the mood in the whole room lighten up - or, again, it could have just been the ‘happy juice’ kicking in.  But meanwhile, I forgot to ask the surgeon how his dog fared!  A few days later at my first post-op check up, I had to ask.  Again, without missing a beat, he answered, “The dog died!”

Lenny is President of Cincinnati-based Lenmar Communications.  He is both a student and a practitioner of humor.  Having seriously researched the lives and careers of comedy legends "The Marx Brothers," Harpo in particular, Lenny was invited to spend a nostalgic day with Mrs. Harpo Marx in California. 

And, for several years, Lenny served as Master of Ceremonies for Cincinnati’s December 24 “Comedy Night” featuring national comedy talent such as Robert Klein, Cathy Ladman, Mark Schiff, Steve Mittleman, Hugh Fink and Bobby Tessel.

CONTACTS: 

Lenny Dave

Lenmar Communications
10901 Reed Hartman Hwy. Suite 102
Cincinnati, OH 45242

Phone: 513-791-4149     E-mail: Lennydave1@aol.com      web: http://www.creativity123.com/