Introduction to the The Just Plain Love™
Story

"Experiencing a pediatric intensive care, oncology, burn or
trauma unit to me, is a heart wrenching jolt
to anyone's world. I had to summon all my
"heart" to handle the various states of
disrupted life. Right then and there I
decided that a positive Light needed to
shine on these struggling souls, so new to
earth and so old to disease and ravaged by
procedures and treatments.
I decided that I was going to find a way
to offer a positive spin on all of the
health issue negatives and to create a
portal of communication, a treasure of heart
warming and reassuring perspectives to those
"hands off" subjects and to provoke a
muffled laugh, instigate a tiny smile,
mischievous giggle or just an
environmental change and safe place for a
brief moment that would add a sparkle to a
weary eye.
AND I was going to give a comforting and
supportive symbolic "hug" to each patient
and reader by filling them with a sense of
pride in themselves for having endured their
own health battle and surrounding issues and
provide a tangible and permanent way to
honor and celebrate their courage! I was
unable to have children, so this is my way
of giving back.
in 1987
Just Plain Love™
Charitable Trust
was born."
"Barney" is our Mascot.
Visit Barney's page to read his story
Children's
Literature for Children's Development,
Health &
Healing
For the past 20+ years Brent Atwater has
researched, tested, rewritten and reworked
each book and play according to the
storytelling responses and reactions from healthy and
unhealthy readers, caregivers, family,
friends, medical and healthcare
professionals and her storytelling audience.
Brent's dream is to inspire the creative
imagination of readers of all ages to
replace negative thoughts about health
issues, medical experiences, rehabilitative
therapy and reentry into society with a
positive "spin" on their journey to health
and well being.
Each book, and many are about about
"hands off" subjects, deals with
reality and is a gateway of
communication between the patient, their
caregivers, family, friends and healthcare
providers. These books offer an integrative
form of pediatric medicine that evokes,
ignites and engages each reader's
imagination to understand and triumph over
negative events so their soul and emotions
are in a place of inner peace and emotional
wellness to better cope with their human
body's condition and circumstances.
Just Plain Love™
Plays, Performances & Educational Programs
for Children
with "Poof" the Angel & "Friend"
the pet therapy dog
Surely, Ms Atwater thought, there could
be participatory mini skits/plays held in
healthcare and medical facilities that
lasted about 5 or 15 minutes that would hold
a patient's attention, entertain, educate,
rehabilitate and provide a few moments of
mental relief through laughter. In addition
to the uplifting atmosphere, each patient
receives a tangible trophy to reward and
honor their courage, and a copy of the book
as a souvenir and scrapbook of their healing
journey Brent's
Just
Plain Love™
books
and other commissioned or dedicated projects
for specific health issues or facilities are
translated into these mini plays which can
be
performed by outside personnel or the
hospital, healthcare and medical facility
volunteers or staff.
Poof (and Friend) is also available for
guest appearances to distribute Just
Plain Love™
"Badges of Courage". Experience the
healing!
The setting: These are
participatory stand alone plays/ skits that
can be performed room to room, or in
recreational therapy safe areas, camp
groups, etc.
Timeframe: 5 to 10 minutes (can be
extended). Actors needed: 2 Props: None
Application: "Poof" the Angel (and
if you wish her sidekick pet therapy
dog angel Friend) delights her audiences
with Patch Adams warmth and humor.
Poof addresses real life "nitty gritty"
health issues that are usually
avoided in a witty, fun, engaging, self
assuring, self worth enhancing and uplifting
manner. These skits create a heartfelt
giggle.
Personal Value: Each play/skit has interactive art therapy and participatory
rehabilitative dialogue in which each
participant understands each simple message
● Demonstrates
sensitivity to the need of all participants
to cope with their situation, and provides
tools and techniques to rephrase the
participants circumstances
● Perceives and interactively
illustrates the illness/ treatments from a
new positive perspective that is calming and
reassuring.
● Learns that Heaven is a great place if
they are not chosen for the "Miracle Club"
● Learns that each person is loved and
always in a safe space because
● They are protected by their very own Angel
and that
● God looks at you with His heart, not AT
your body parts which promotes self esteem.
● Experiences an award ceremony and
receives a permanent "Badge of Courage" souvenir for celebrating their
courage!
Organizational Value: This is a collaboration between the actors,
readers, audience and the healthcare
organization therapists and partners to improve the quality
of the healthcare experience. These
exemplary expressive art project plays add
● Quality of life in healthcare organizations
through their impact on patients, families
or caregivers.
● Creates a less
stressful and healing environment thru safe
educational entertainment.
●
Each
participatory play and
arts-at-the-bedside performance
requires direct
engagement from patients, families and or
caregivers providing a measurable outcome
that gives evidence to the success of the
project through patient satisfaction.
email Poof the Angel & her sidekick
pet therapy dog angel
Friend for a guest appearance
"It is intent, my dream, and I ask for any
and all assistance, grants, benefactors,
healthcare facilities, foundations,
organizations, children's camps, fundraising
events and participants who want to
help develop pilot programs, install ongoing
programs and to distribute training manuals,
instructional CD's, DVD's and any other
tools that will allow and facilitate us to
teach and provide to others the ability to
promote, produce and perform these
interactive healing and rehabilitating
plays. This will facilitate and allow
children around the world to be able to
experience a moment of laughter, healing and
to receive a 'Badge of Courage" that honors
their journey and celebrates their bravery,
stamina and hope."
Enjoy our site!
www.JustPlainLoveBooks.com