Comedy helped Riley recover after surgery on brain tumours. Now his dream is to be a clown doctor

When Riley Blackwell tells a joke, he is doing it for more than a laugh.

"It's got me out of hospital because I had two brain tumours over 11 years ago," he said.

"I've always said laughter is the best medicine."

Riley is part of a performance group called the Happy Place Entertainers — a troupe of comedians, singers, and dancers, all living with a disability.

But far from just a song and a dance, these shows are giving Riley the experience he needs to chase his passion.

'I just love jokes'

While undergoing treatment in hospital, Riley faced challenges most would struggle to comprehend.

"There was one tumour pushing down on the pituitary gland on the optic nerve, that's why it was bad for me," he said.

"I'm still here at least, which is fantastic."

Has Audio Duration: 7 minutes 30 seconds.

Listen 7m

But at the same time, Riley discovered stand-up comedy, specifically comedian Carl Baron.

"I just love jokes," he said.

"It's good for the endorphins on the brain and everything."

So, Riley joined the Happy Place Entertainers — a program started by disability support worker Allison Grabham.

"They get a lot of satisfaction seeing the audience and the way that they respond to them," she said.

Opportunity to chase goals

The Happy Place Entertainers have been performing for communities across the Gold Coast, including seniors groups, with five shows under their belts so far.

"There's not a lot of opportunities in their lives where there is a group of people, a group of 50 people, celebrating them," Ms Grabham said.

The needs of the entertainers vary.

Ms Blackwell said for some the shows are a chance to "learn teamwork; we have to learn empathy and compassion".

But for Riley, it is also a chance to develop his stand-up comedy routine along with the skills needed to pursue his career goals.

"I want to become a clown doctor," he said.

"I was always wanting to go into the hospitals and say, 'I've been through what they're going through'."

Ms Blackwell is proud of his progress.

"He just has such a kind heart and he's got so much to give," she said.

"He does see that laughter is the way to get through most things and he makes us all laugh every day."

But there are some challenges

Aged care residents Dorothy and Peter Dawson were among the audience at the Happy Place Entertainers' most recent performance in Robina.

"I choked up actually, to be honest," Mr Dawson said.

And for good reason.

Their great-niece has performed with the Happy Place Entertainers in the past, and now has a job.

"That allows her to feel wanted, responsible ... it gives her a sense of being part of society," he said.

"These mentors that they've got — their abilities, their strength and their patience, they have this special aura about them.

"It says, 'I care' and it's beautiful."

While her work is rewarding, Ms Grabham says the role still has some challenges.

"The song choices," she joked.

"We're not doing Numb by Linkin Park — it's not happening."

Source: ABC