Disability or no disability, all of us acquire areas of sensitivity. Those unexpected and most embarrassing moments often look humorous to those watching, but do not appear funny to us, particularly someone who lives with disability.

Understanding that laughter is a result of the natural, spontaneous reaction that occurs when our funny bone is tickled, or when we are surprised helps us not to take laughter personally. It helps us to be less sensitive and understand that people are laughing with us and not at us. In addition, gaining a better understanding of how to use humor in sensitive situations allows us to use our sense of humor to bless someone, while minimizing the risk of causing offense.

In this humor workshop, participants will learn:

• What makes us laugh? Examine three humor theories
• How humor helps us to heal 
• Keys to understanding sensitivity in disability 
• Seven guidelines to introduce humor in sensitive situations - disability, illness, loss 
• How to deflect hurtful humor - three responses to negative humor or putdowns
  

Program Length: 60 to 75 minutes