We can learn so much

Robin Williams has played some fabulous roles. The one that stands out the most for me is that of Hunter "Patch" Adams. Tonight's post will be dedicated to this man, who is a real person. Ordinarily I don't list a bunch of quotes from movies, but these are too good to not post. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the story of Patch Adams, he is a brialliant man who pushed the envelope with the medical community as a med student. Really brought out the meaning of being a doctor and this day, a provider does not only mean one with MD at the end of their name.

"Our job is improving the quality of life, not just delaying death. "

"We need to start treating the patient as well as the disease. "

"All of life is a coming home. Salesmen, secretaries, coal miners, beekeepers, sword swallowers, all of us. All the restless hearts of the world, all trying to find a way home. It's hard to describe what I felt like then. Picture yourself walking for days in the driving snow; you don't even know you're walking in circles. The heaviness of your legs in the drifts, your shouts disappearing into the wind. How small you can feel, and how far away home can be.
Home. The dictionary defines it as both a place of origin and a goal or destination. And the storm? The storm was all in my mind. Or as the poet Dante put it: In the middle of the journey of my life, I found myself in a dark wood, for I had lost the right path. Eventually I would find the right path, but in the most unlikely place."

I wanted to become a doctor so I could serve others. And because of that, I've lost everything. But I've also gained everything.

What's wrong with death sir? What are we so mortally afraid of? Why can't we treat death with a certain amount of humanity and dignity, and decency, and God forbid, maybe even humor. Death is not the enemy gentlemen. If we're going to fight a disease, let's fight one of the most terrible diseases of all, indifference.

Laughter is contagious. Laughter is the cheapest medicine.


"You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it."
-Robin Williams