In the bustling corridors of London Children’s Hospital, a unique form of care is unfolding that goes beyond traditional medicine. Enter Dr. Petunia Ashley Ottersby, a whimsical “bellybuttonologist” whose vibrant personality and playful antics, delivered through the art of ventriloquism, bring laughter and comfort to young patients. This summer, a series titled *Care Between the Lines* sheds light on the vital contributions of volunteers like ventriloquist Sue Van Duynhoven, who fill emotional voids in a healthcare system often overshadowed by fear and isolation.
A Unique Approach to Patient Care
Dr. Ottersby, though a puppet, embodies a crucial aspect of paediatric care. On one recent Tuesday morning, she and her creator, Sue Van Duynhoven, found themselves entertaining three sisters: Aubree, aged 13, Isla, aged 6, and Coral, aged 4. While Coral erupted in laughter at Dr. Ottersby’s playful banter—”You’re just a puppet! You have no eyeballs!”—Aubree, in the hospital for chemotherapy, initially maintained a more reserved demeanour.
The ability to connect with patients, regardless of their circumstances, is central to Van Duynhoven’s mission. “What I want to do is remind them who they are,” she explained, highlighting how her performances allow children to momentarily escape the stress of their medical realities.
Filling the Emotional Gaps
Volunteers like Van Duynhoven play an indispensable role in the hospital setting, especially during times when medical staff are preoccupied with other duties. In a world where a child’s laughter can be a rare commodity, her puppets serve as a bridge to joy, helping to ease anxiety and fear. While London Children’s Hospital employs paid entertainers, including music and art therapists, Van Duynhoven has dedicated 24 years to this cause without financial compensation.
Her commitment remains steadfast, even as she navigated her own health challenges, including breast cancer diagnoses in 2019 and 2024. Despite these hurdles, her passion for uplifting young patients never wanes.
Building Lasting Connections
The emotional ties that develop between Van Duynhoven’s puppets and the children she visits are profound. According to Michelle Hart, a child-life specialist who has worked at London Children’s for nearly three decades, the puppets provide a safe space for children to express themselves without fear of judgement. “The puppet is somebody that they can talk to without any inhibition,” Hart noted, underscoring the therapeutic relationship that can blossom through play and laughter.
Van Duynhoven recalls a poignant story of a young girl who grew attached to Horace, a horse puppet. The bond was so strong that the girl’s mother once requested to take Horace home for sleepovers. When the girl passed away, Horace was buried with her—a testament to the deep connections forged in the hospital’s halls.
The Impact of Laughter
With a collection of over 45 puppets—ranging from Grandma to Kudo the penguin—Van Duynhoven finds joy in surprising connections. Her puppetry skills, discovered in childhood amidst personal struggles, offer her unique insight into the emotions of children who are suffering. “It was not a fun place to grow up in… inanimate objects became the only things that I could actually trust,” she reflects, drawing parallels between her past and the experiences of her young audience.
After brightening the day for Aubree and her sisters, Van Duynhoven and Grandpa moved on to entertain a six-year-old boy, whose mother watched with a mix of hope and trepidation. The laughter that erupted from the boy was infectious, illustrating the power of humour to transcend the challenges of illness, bringing families together in moments of joy.
Why it Matters
The work of volunteers like Sue Van Duynhoven is vital in creating a holistic approach to healthcare that prioritises emotional well-being alongside physical health. In a system where medical staff are often stretched thin, these compassionate individuals fill critical gaps, reminding us all of the healing power of laughter and connection. The impact of their dedication extends beyond the hospital walls, fostering resilience and hope in the hearts of families navigating the difficult journey of illness.
