Adams provides patches for life's tough problems
By Cynthia Tom
Special to the Daily Forty-Niner
Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams' message was simple:
Enjoy life.
"Love life," said the famed physician known
for his unconventional antics. "And if youíre miserable, know youíre miserable
in a heavenly, blissful world."
With orange and blue socks and hair to
match, Adams gave this advice to students, faculty and staff Monday night
during a lecture titled "Medicine for Fun, Not Funds" at the Carpenter
Performing Arts Center and sponsored by the Odyssey Project.
Adams also gave seminars in medical and
health classes Monday and attended a documentary screening and discussion
at the Carpenter Center.
In his lecture to an overflowing crowd,
Adams pointed out the importance of living a joyful life and finding vitality
in life.
"Everyone should recognize the privilege
of being born, and give thanks through the celebration of life," said Adams,
whose life was portrayed in the film "Patch Adams."
Adams' speech attracted more than 1,000
people, with some standing in the aisles and hundreds turned away at the
door.
"His story is an attention grabber that
interests people, and the film had good values and a heartfelt story,"
said freshman Constantin Quiroga, a psychology major unable to find a seat.
"It's something that people are drawn to."
Others came to see the man behind the movie.
"I came to see who the real Patch Adams
is," said freshman John Thompson, a political science major. "Dr. Adams
was inspirational and funny. I felt encouraged to love everyone for who
they are and to help whoever needs it."
Adams was invited to speak because of his
unique views on health and medicine, one Odyssey administrator said.
"We wanted to cover all aspects of the
community, and health is a universal concern," said Director of University
Academic Projects Sharon Olson. "Since Patch looks at health from a non-traditional
but holistic view of healing, we thought itíd be beneficial to students."
His visit was set up through the collaborative
efforts of personal friend Richard Madeira, the CSULB Alumni Association
and Odyssey coordinators.
"He was very inspirational and he brought
to attention issues that I had never known about," said senior Tiasha Robinson,
a health science major.
In his 32 years in the medical field, Adams
said few adults understand joy is a choice.
"If you're having a rotten day, it's important
to realize that you are having it," Adams said.
Adams said he made this decision 36 years
ago during a brief hospitalization at a mental institution, along with
the commitment to serve humanity through medicine. In 1971, Adams founded
the Gesundheit Institute, which treated patients free-of-charge with the
aid of volunteers.
High demand and low funds forced the institute
to close in 1983. Since its closing, Adams has committed himself to its
reopening.
The institute's newfound funding is due
largely to the biographical feature film starring Robin Williams.
"It is the consequences of peoples' responses
that is building my institute," said Adams. "I am astounded by how such
a simple statement of compassion could become a No. 1 movie."
Adams firmly believes friendship is the
best remedy for the worst disease in the world: loneliness.
"It astounds me that anyone has less than
a thousand friends, considering how many people want them and how interesting
people are," he said. |
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