Friday, November 20, 2009

The healing powers of magic
By MARGARET DWIGGINS

Family Editor

Magic is so much more than entertainment. Most people don't know it, but it turns out magic has great healing powers.

Healing, that is, in the sense that it is a wonderful therapeutic tool.

Kevin Spencer, who, with his wife, Cindy, tours the world presenting magic shows, also gives small group presentations to people who can benefit in different ways from learning magic tricks. These groups include the elderly, who may have problems with memory loss or dementia and can benefit from sequence exercises; people with spinal cord injuries who may need to re-master hand movements; or people with mental health issues who can benefit from group cooperation or task follow-through exercises.

In town for a show tonight at Central Auditorium, Spencer stopped at Birchaven Village Thursday afternoon to meet with a small group of residents. According to Char Johannigman, executive director of the Arts Partnership, which is sponsoring tonight's performance, the Birchaven stop was made possible by a grant from Arts Midwest, a performing arts fund which will pay for educational workshops held in conjunction with a public performance.

Spencer's aim was to teach some simple magic tricks for the residents at Birchaven which they could share with friends and grandchildren. The tricks he chose also had hidden benefits of giving participants an exercise in dexterity and sequencing.

Spencer started his lesson by performing a trick using a strip of toilet paper that somehow ended up in pieces on the floor before Spencer popped a remaining piece in his mouth, which he then pulled out in a seemingly endless stream of colored tissue.

The toilet paper trick was intended just for fun, as it is a more elaborate trick and not one a beginner can master. All the tricks he showed the residents were done using common, inexpensive props, such as rubber bands, paper clips and dollar bills.

The first trick, which Spencer calls the "Jumping Rubber Band," involves looping two rubber bands over two fingers, then, seemingly, with the wave of the other hand, the rubber bands jump to the other two fingers on the same hand.

The flexion and extension of the fingers needed to perform the trick are good for arthritis or stroke patients, Spencer said. And concentrating on how to do the trick is good for people with memory problems.

"Magic only works if it's done in the right order," Spencer said. "We've found that by learning tricks, the skills transfer over to their daily lives."

Spencer said his interest in therapeutic magic comes out of his own experiences. A serious accident left him with head and spinal injuries, and he underwent intense therapy for about a year. When he was finished with his treatment he went in search of therapists who could help him collaborate his magic act with therapy.

"I worked a long time with stroke and accident patients," Spencer said. Often, the sequence in which these patients performed basic tasks didn't make any sense to him.

"Their ability to sequence moves has been messed up. The tricks help them retrain their brain," he said.

Learning magic tricks also helps patients with memory and concentration and helps build their tolerance for frustration. Not only that, they're fun, Spencer said.

Spencer's therapy program, called the Healing of Magic, is now offered in about 2,000 hospitals around the world.

"My biggest job is in training therapists," Spencer said.

He has also become involved in research projects pertaining to the therapeutic use of magic. A two-year study in Hong Kong is exploring the benefits of using magic with mental illness cases. And a pediatric study in Rome has shown that pediatric patients who work with magicians two to three weeks before an operation require 60 percent less anesthesia.

The Spencers, named the 2009 Magicians of the Year by the International Society of Magicians, have the second largest touring magic show in the world, just behind David Copperfield. Spencer said 12 tons of equipment has been brought in for tonight's show.

The couple will perform at 7 p.m. at Central Auditorium. Tickets are still available at the Arts Partnership office at 618 S. Main St. from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Reserved seats are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for students or children; or $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $7 for students and children for Arts Partnership members. Tickets may also be purchased by phone by calling 419-422-4624. There is a $3 handling charge for phone orders. All tickets sold at the door will be $23.

On the Net:

www.spencersmagic.com

www.magictherapy.com

Dwiggins: 419-427-8477

margaretdwiggins@thecourier.co


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