![]() ![]() ![]() Patch, part of whose life was portrayed by Robin Williams in the 1999 move "Patch Adams," came to believe that humor, laughter, play, celebration, joy, faith, compassion, creativity, and good nutrition are integral parts of the healing process. Patch became a physician, discovered the healing power of humor and love, and added humor and clowning to his medical practice. He decided to never have another "bad day," and to live with six qualities at all times: "happy, funny, loving, cooperative, creative, and thoughtful." Patch decided: "You don't kill yourself you make a revolution." "How many couples love one another? Maybe 15%?"Īs a l6-year-old boy, Patch became so deeply depressed and suicidal that he committed himself to a mental hospital.Īt age 18, in Washington, D.C., he was present at, and was inspired by, the "I Have a Dream" speech of Rev. "Does any country in the world teach a one-hour course on loving?" he asks. Patch believes that "a revolution of loving" would help solve the problem of racism and other problems in society. It is a pity Williams didn’t come and observe my colleagues for a week before embarking on this.JN consulting editor Hunter ("Patch") Adams, M.D., has called for "a huge revolution of loving in America and the world." Although laughter underpins Adams’ therapy, this is not a comedy but a schmaltzy vehicle for Robin Williams to give impassioned speeches about humanity and caring. But it is hard to imagine such gross caricature finding resonance elsewhere. ![]() This film has been very popular in the United States, perhaps reflecting a culture in which people are angry at how expensive health care is and, by association, angry with doctors. Then there are a couple of medical students who agree with Adams but haven’t got his wisdom or courage. The bad guys are the doctors, who are so stereotyped that even the script writers of Casualty would have thought them over the top. Adams and the patients are good guys, of course even the obnoxious patients are really good guys, but no one took the trouble to look beneath the surface-except Adams, that is. The film covers Adams’ time as a voluntary patient in a mental hospital and why he wanted to become a doctor, and his time in medical school and his challenge of the “establishment.” The characters are good, bad, or naive. Patch Adams is based on the true story of a doctor who wants to build a hospital where the ethos is humanity and laughter. ![]()
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