Patch Adams ("Healer Adams"; real name Dr. Hunter Doherty Adams ; born May 28, 1945 , Washington , DC , USA ) is an American doctor , public figure , hospital clown and writer. He is best known for his activities as a hospital clown and is considered one of the creators of this phenomenon. In 1972, he founded the Gesundheit! Institute ("Institute of Good Health").
| Patch adams | |
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| Date of Birth | |
| Place of Birth | Arlington (Okrug, Virginia) |
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| Scientific field | medicine , laugh therapy |
| Alma mater | George Washington University Virginia College of Medicine Commonwealth University of Virginia |
| Academic degree | M.D. |
| Known as | hospital clown |
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In addition to participating in hospital clowning, Adams is also a professional clown, social activist, goodwill ambassador, actor and writer. Every year he gathers a group of volunteers and at the head of them travels to different countries around the world, where, speaking in clown clothes, he tries to cheer and amuse children in orphanages and hospitals [3] . Adams currently resides in Urban, Illinois, and is promoting his “alternative” concept of health with his institution.
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Biography
Adams was born in Washington to the family of Anna Campbell Stewart and Robert Logridge Adams. His father was a military man, fought in Korea and died in Germany in 1961, when Hunter was a teenager. [3] After that, he returned to the United States with his mother and brother. At school, he experienced institutional injustice: he became the object of ridicule, which led to eternal sadness and suicidal tendencies. After three hospitalizations in a psychiatric clinic in one year, Adams told himself: you are not killing yourself, you dumbass; you are making a revolution " [4] .
Career start
After graduating from high school in Wakefield in 1963. [5] In 1973 he received a doctorate in medicine from Virginia College of Medicine Commonwealth University of Virginia . In his view, an individual’s health cannot be separated from family, community, and global health. As a result, Adams, together with several members of his institute, Gesundheit founded a free public hospital that has been operating for 12 years.
Foundation of the Institute for Good Health
The Gesundheit Institute was created as a medical and environmental settlement with a wide range of free outpatient and inpatient medical services, financially supported by its founders, located in West Virginia, with 40 beds and open to all comers [6] . The aim of the institute was to combine traditional medical hospital practice and alternative medicine: acupuncture, homeopathy and others. The institution’s activities led to the integration of many areas of activity into the treatment process, turning into a “comprehensive medicine”: performing arts, crafts, nature observation, farming and recreational activities are used as treatment methods. Volunteers arrive at Adams Hospital every summer and are recruited through a dedicated website. The settlement’s hospital is located in the old buildings of the women's prison and its hospital.
The word "Gesundheit" in German means "health" (also used as the phrase "Be healthy").
Personal life
In his final year at college, Patch met Linda Edqvist, who helped him found his institute. They married in 1976 and have two sons: Atomic Zag Bent Adams and Lars Zig Edqvist Adams. In 1998, Patch and Linda divorced.
Other activities
In addition to his activities in the field of medicine, Adams also publicly expresses his political views. In particular, he expresses his desire to end the capitalist system. He also led a coalition in a public campaign against US President George W. Bush and against a new free mental health commission set up by order of the president [7] .
Adams supports the activities of the association MindFreedom International , which brings together 100 different groups, conducting joint efforts to protect the right of people not to declare them mentally ill [8] .
Movie
The life and work of Adams became the basis for the biographical film " Healer Adams ", in which the role of Adams was played by Robin Williams [9] . The film was sharply criticized by critics, but earned decently at the box office and is currently quite popular with viewers.
However, Patch himself was very critical of the picture, because in it, in his opinion, his personality and goals were too simplified and portrayed him simply as a funny doctor [9] . However, he stated that he did not hate Robin Williams. After the death of the actor, he expressed great sorrow and noticed that during the filming of the film, when Adams came with his family to the site, Robin was especially kind to his sons. He also said that he now believed that Robin had miraculously played him in the film [10] .
Notes
- ↑ Internet Movie Database - 1990.
- ↑ SNAC - 2010.
- ↑ 1 2 Doctor in a Clown Suit Battles Ills of His Profession , New York Times (December 15, 1998).
- ↑ Interview with Patch Adams
- ↑ Alumni News Wakefield High School (PDF) (Fall 2008). Date of appeal September 12, 2009.
- ↑ Marsh, Jason. Playing Doctor: An interview with Patch Adams (Neopr.) // Greater Good Magazine. - Berkeley, California : Greater Good Science Center . - T. IV , No. 4 . Archived on June 17, 2008.
- ↑ Heather Woksuch. Let's Go Crazy: The Decline in US Mental Health Under Bush . mindfreedom.org (February 11, 2007).
- ↑ MindFreedom International launches IAACM . Date of treatment July 17, 2009.
- ↑ 1 2 Real Patch Adams - Movie True Story . Chasingthefrog.com (January 2, 2012).
- ↑ Adams, Patch . Patch Adams: 'Thank You for All You've Given This World Robin, Thank You My Friend' , Time (August 12, 2014).