***I used to play a game with my group at night. Damn it was funny as hell to. I called it poker face, as the point of the game was to sit in a circle and stare at each other without laughing. I used to walk around the circle telling wierd jokes, making farting noises, and ripping on the kids. There was no real theraputic value to the game other than to have a giggle or two, but the absolutely best round of it we played happen one night when I went into my preacher mode.
No real 'therapeutic' value?
What else could be better for these kids than to laugh? Laughter is good medicine. To play and have some fun in a world that's way too f'in serious and violent? Almost as good as drugs and a damn sight better than sitting there tearing each other apart in some kind of group encounter. Actually, laughter creates good brain chemicals. Seen any media on this new 'fad'- laughter groups. I had the idea to do this several years ago.... oh well. I think we should change the old saying to, 'the family that laughs together, stays together.
Too bad there aren't more like you in the industry. Too bad for the kids that the sadistic bastards who are compelled to run these places haven't a clue about what kids need. Sigh.
I appreciate your stories.