Bedside magic service began in November of 2003 when Mike Walton, an off-the-floor commodities trader, contacted Rush Children's Hospital, became a volunteer and started performing classic close-up magic for children and teens at their bedside. After several months he realized the best reactions came from using magic that involved the spectators' participation and engaged their thinking. He started adapting and creating routines to strengthen these components and improve this interaction.

Mike was then asked to perform for a 12-year old boy who could not move his arms or legs, nod nor speak. Mike adapted the bedside magic so it still allowed the patient to be a part of the special interaction and at certain cues, the boy could make his choice by blinking. It was a hit and the boy requested Mike the next week. All this while Mike was working with Robyn Hart, the Director of Child Life Services at Rush, who taught him techniques used to empower hospitalized children, for example by offering and rewarding choice. Robyn also explained the psychological benefits of teaching magic because learning a new skill, especially one that would even amaze a child's doctors, creates a sense of mastery and confidence.

Mike found utilizing this approach further strengthened the positive results. Most importantly the kids and parents loved the magic especially those patients unable to be part of other forms of complimentary therapy or entertainers' visits due to their medical situations. The bedside magic seemed to create excitement, change attitudes and make those in the room more active and engaged.

Positive feedback from Robyn, the hospital staff, patients, and families motivated Mike to consider creating an organized effort to expand the service to children at other hospitals, to further explore working with those who are limited by their medical condition, and to continually research and improve the methods, magic and ways to engage even the most isolated children.

This use of magic as a tool for empowerment is unique and we are unaware of any program using magic in pediatrics with such benefits.

To create and expand a formalized program would require a supportive community, donations and sponsorship, lots of volunteer training and training development, magic supplies, and give-away tricks. A program will require a barebones staff to fulfill certain legal and financial reporting responsibilities, fund-raising, and most importantly the operations to ensure children and hospitals are provided with highly screened, trained and committed volunteers who can effectively and reliably make a difference in children's lives through the best methods and magic possible.

Open Heart Magic was officially registered as a not-for-profit (NFP) organization in 2004 and just received the tax-exempt 501c(3) status of a charitable foundation in October of 2004 through the pro-bono legal assistance of Jenner & Block.