Person of the Week: Paul Binder

"Nineteen hospitals have visits by the Big Apple Circus clowns," he said. "Doctors of delight we call them."

Paul Binder, ringmaster of the Big Apple Circus, founded the circus as a non-profit organization in 1977.

(Bertrand Guay/Big Apple Circus )
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And they run a Circus of the Senses for children with disabilities. Binder narrates the scene for the blind children, using detailed descriptions to bring the tent, animals and colors to life.

"The kids who can't see get to hear a play-by-play of what's going on in the circus," Binder said. "And the kids who can't hear see sign language interpreters interpreting the circus."

Even without sight or hearing, Binder makes their circus experience magical.

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"My favorite, you know, the woman with the dogs, the dogs that were dancing around," one young boy said in sign language, after visiting the circus.

After three decades of living in a trailer and performing in the ring, Binder has decided to hang up his top hat at the end of this season.

"The feeling of, 'Boy, it's time to get off the road' has come. And it's come, and it's come," Binder said. "I can get off the road and I can still be a part of the Big Apple Circus. I can make its future be as bright its past, oh, even more bright."

Though Binder won't be in front of the audience anymore he will play a role behind the scenes as artistic advisor and, always, as the circus' biggest fan.