Your Glasses are On Top of Your Head!

July 22, 2015

Tales of Life, Longevity, & Laughter

History

A few years ago I joined AATH, American Association of Therapeutic Humor and I went there to see about the latest research done on therapeutic humor and how it can help in work and play. The teachers and conference attendees, speakers and vendors are great and all committed to healthy humor. There are clowns, professors, nurses, teachers and all sorts of people using humor in many ways. As a humor academy member, I am expected to produce a project and so I designed a keynote called, Humor and Healing from the Caregivers Perspective which I presented in New York in 2014 and thought it might be fun to have a book on funny stories about aging.

Focus

I had a focus group to my house to discuss the subject I had entitled Aging Hilariously. We decided that bar was unrealistic when it came to aging. Much of it was not hilarious although there are moments, I was reassured. So instead, we find the funny and the adventures in aging and put a positive spin to the whole experience. I have learned as I age that I agree with Abraham Lincoln that “Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” I like to think of aging as an adventure and we’ll see what lies ahead…

"Brenda Elsagher is a rare find - funny, engaging, disarming, inspiring, full of joy that is contagious!"

San Short
Upson Regional Medical Center

Brenda Elsagher in five words; Sensational, Realistic, Eloquent, Graceful and Giving.

Brenda’s speech filled us with hope and plenty of laughter. More than a comedian, she's an educator and writer who deeply believes in helping people with the best medicine around. . . laughter.

Terri J Smith
MHAMA President

“On behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society, I want to express our thanks for your participation as a keynoter at our Living with Cancer conference. We have received many positive comments. They truly appreciated the ideas and information you presented. You received a 4.9 rating out of a possible 5. Thanks for coming up to Regina, Saskatchewan and we wish you continued success.”

Wendy McDermid,
Director

“Our conference guests enjoyed your presentation; especially your humor and the manner in which you bare your soul to the audience. This was validated further when you received a standing ovation. Your keynote remarks made our conference a world class event for our 850 participants.”

Mike Bailey,Chief Operating Manager
Handi Medical Supply, Inc. St. Paul, MN

Brenda Elsagher brought an energy to our Aging Celebration, which motivated and inspired all present to remember to laugh. I loved how Brenda engaged the entire audience! It was hilarious to watch all the men in the audience slapping their legs with laughter, and tipping their heads back for the hearty laugh we all love.”

Sharon Notch |NW MN
UCare for Seniors & EssentiaCare

I am so happy that we had Brenda come and talk with us! I have received nothing but positive feedback from everyone that attended! They enjoyed her humor, her being “real” and relating to us all and so many needed a good laugh with life’s “busyness!”

Sonja Day Director Foundation
CHI St. Joseph Health, Park Rapids, MN

"Hearing Brenda speak at a nursing conference left our colleagues in stitches. She delivers a heartfelt presentation that can lighten the room, yet deliver a powerful message for caregivers as she encourages them to use humor with compassion. We knew she would be a hit at our annual oncology symposium, yet were amazed at the impact she had on the attendees! "

Lynn Salmela, MA, RN-BC
Jan Tomaino, DNP, RN, AHN-BC
Nursing Professional Development Specialists
Essentia Health, Duluth, MN

Spirit of Women Event. “In all the years I have been attending conferences and education days, I have never seen a “comedian” focused on healthcare. She was right on the money! Brenda was a gift! Brenda was great! Loved the comedy! Loved the humor! Brenda was excellent! .”

Misty Ufholz Physician and Community Liaison
Thompson Healthcare, Canandaigua, NY

"Brenda presents in a way that makes you feel that you’ve known her your whole life. She has the perfect combination of humor and compassion making the audience feel like they are having coffee and a good chat with a dear friend. "

Sara J. Kaffine
Nurse Navigator
St. Nicholas Hospital, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

“Humor really helps us face difficulties in our lives. Ms. Brenda Elsagher is original and brilliant."

“Brenda has the ability to make me laugh one minute and cry the next. Her message is poignant, fun and hopeful.”

“Talk about transformational, Brenda has the power to stretch her speaking points out like invisible steel girders arching from the stage to each audience member to form bridges of understanding.”

Holly St. Jean

"I laughed, I cried, then I laughed again."

Martha Sawyer Allen
Star Tribune