Patch Adams: A Blown And A Social Activist
Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams (May 28,1945-present) is a doctor, a clown and a social activist. Patch Adams opened Gesundheit!Institute in 1971. The basis of his medical care is the use of laughter, joy and creativity to help his patients through the healing process. He believes that healing and laughter have a close connection. When Adams was a teenager his father fought as part of the United States army in Korea and died in the war. Adams and his family returned to the United States after his death and Adams was bullied while in school. Due to the stress of the bullying and the loss of his father Addams became actively suicidal. After being hospitalized three times in one year for suicide attempts Adams decided
that instead of killing himself he would make a revolution. Adams went to George Washington University as a pre-med student. He started without an undergraduate degree causing all sorts of problems. With the doubt of both his teachers and his peers Adams had a rough time through school but in 1972 he received his doctorate in medicine from Virginia common wealth university. In the late 1960’s just before receiving his doctorate one of Adams close friends was murdered. This caused Adams to become depressed once again though after some time it actually pushed him to work even harder towards his goals. Hunter “Patch” Adams worked through the loss of a father, emotional and mental difficulty’s, the want to give up, the doubt of those around him and the loss of a close friend and made something great. He continues today to work hard for the people around him, he cares about the people who need his help and he wants to make them happy. The fact that he can still be so caring and happy despite the bad things that happened to him really shows strength of character that not everyone has. Beethoven said “I am bound to be misunderstood; for me there can be no relaxation with my fellow men, no refined conversation, no mutual exchange of idea. I must live alone like on who has been banished.” (Fiero 269) Adams was often misunderstood, people did not understand his thoughts on things and his beliefs. Although it was for different reasons both Beethoven and Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams had difficulties being understood by those around them.
that instead of killing himself he would make a revolution. Adams went to George Washington University as a pre-med student. He started without an undergraduate degree causing all sorts of problems. With the doubt of both his teachers and his peers Adams had a rough time through school but in 1972 he received his doctorate in medicine from Virginia common wealth university. In the late 1960’s just before receiving his doctorate one of Adams close friends was murdered. This caused Adams to become depressed once again though after some time it actually pushed him to work even harder towards his goals. Hunter “Patch” Adams worked through the loss of a father, emotional and mental difficulty’s, the want to give up, the doubt of those around him and the loss of a close friend and made something great. He continues today to work hard for the people around him, he cares about the people who need his help and he wants to make them happy. The fact that he can still be so caring and happy despite the bad things that happened to him really shows strength of character that not everyone has. Beethoven said “I am bound to be misunderstood; for me there can be no relaxation with my fellow men, no refined conversation, no mutual exchange of idea. I must live alone like on who has been banished.” (Fiero 269) Adams was often misunderstood, people did not understand his thoughts on things and his beliefs. Although it was for different reasons both Beethoven and Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams had difficulties being understood by those around them.