Today our expert guest is Hunter Doherty “Patch” Adams, who is best known for his work as a medical doctor and a clown – however, he is also a social activist who has devoted over 40 years of his life to changing America’s healthcare system.
Patch believes that laughter, joy, and creativity are integral parts of the healing process and, with the help of friends, he founded The Gesundheit! Institute in 1971 in order to address problems with the country’s health care model.
Patch’s life changed when he saw a “Whites Only” sign on a water fountain. It confounded him that society allowed it, and he struggled against society for his teen years because he couldn’t be silent.
After being present for Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering the “I have a dream…” speech, Patch realized that he could make revolution.
“I did not have to develop into a person to make revolution – I was that person. I just had to decide what I was going to do.” Patch decided to do two things:
- Be a free doctor.
- As a political act, he decided to never have another bad day. Instead, he lives six qualities: happy, loving, funny, cooperative, creative, and thoughtful.
The Love Revolution & The Gesundheit Institute
Patch’s revolution is built on a simple concept: When you care, it is an act of love – and, ideally, a healthy person loves all people.
He did not, however, see any place for that compassion in American hospitals.
“Medicine felt like a business, and I knew if I was going to be a doctor I could never do it in an American hospital – I had to make my own hospital.”
When Patch signed contracts for the 1998 Robin Williams movie, he was told they’d build a hospital building in return – to this day, there is still no hospital. However, Patch is still striving towards this mission every day.
You can support the hospital project by donating to The Gesundheit Institute or purchasing Patch’s book, Gesundheit!
The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway
“Make love our values. Stop your troubles, become proactive for love, and help change the world.”
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Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.
Resources:
- Donate to The Gesundheit Institute
- Connect with The Gesundheit Institute: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
- Read: Gesundheit!
There is incredible potential that lies within each and every one of us to create positive change in our lives (and the lives of others) while achieving our dreams.
This is the Power of You!
