Patch Adams and the Gesundheit Institute

Patch's Last 3/4 Year

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Submitted by Patch on Mon, 03/23/2009 - 12:22

Darn, so much time has passed since my last web diary entry, I just returned from a week-long college alternative spring break clown trip to Guatemala (while John G. was leading one to Nicaragua) with 20 clowns (students) from 5 countries. Our youth team made it run smoothly as we hit 2-3 engagements each day in Guatemala City and Antigua.

In the country, Maria Olga (who had the vision to bring us while attending the School for Designing a Society last summer at Gesundheit, West Virginia) teamed with the Guatemalan hostpital clown group Fabricas de Sonrisas to give us a perfect trip. I also spoke to 2,000 people at the National Theater, who appreciated the apology I made to them for the role the US government and the School of the Americas had in their 36-year war that massacred 200,000 people. I also spoke to 350 students at their public medical school, hungry to hear about compassionate care. If you are looking for a grand place to do some volunteer work, contact Safe Passage which works with children who live at the huge dump in the city. This is a miracle project.

In these nine months we have done clown trips to the Amazon of Peru in August 08 (see John's description of the trip) with 91 clowns from 14 countries; to Japan in September with 30 mostly Japanese clowns organized by our previous clown sister Miyako; my brother Wildman and Elisa led their first trip in October to Romanian AIDS orphanages with friends and many of the clowns from their Italian clown group Over the Rainbow in Padua.  They joined us, with their 3-year-old daughter Annamaria, the next month for our 24th annual Russian tour with 30 clowns from 8 countries. Our work there with orphans grows thanks to Maria and Marina. The children's art auction raised $72,000; and in December we took 14 clowns to Cuba, teaming up with 14 children from the Cuban national children's theater to go to the areas hit hardest by the 3 hurricanes there in the fall.

I've also signd a contract with Phoenix Books for my third book. They were enamored by a huge collection of letters I've received of two types: patients needing care who can't get it because they are poor, and health professionals from all over the world screaming out for a compassion-based care environment. They are a poignant encouragement for us to keep to our project.

These nine months have seen our website mature and become a player in the global dialogue on health care, and a fund-raising arms for us. Thank you OJC Technologies. Susan Parenti created the fifth annual intensive on health care delivery system design at the perfect location in Baltimore's American Visionary Art Museum. It was full with eager folks wanting to create beautiful care delivery. PLEASE READ Susan's two papers on the website and then my history and philosophy paper on Gesundheit so that you can have some exciting things to talk about in health care delivery. Please write President Obama encouraging him (and your senators and congresspeople) if you are an advocate for single payer, universal health care for all.

And, of course, countless speaking engagements all over the world and thousands of letters answered ... I am healthy and crazed to help midwife a world free of violence and injustice.

I am so glad to be rid of the last government ... so that those of us who are US citizens can hold our heads up internationally again. I wish Obama the best — glad to have to intelligence in the White House. I hope all the global enthusiasm for his election is turned into kinetic energy for peace and justice. Radiantly do your part.

I ask you to please read my plea for your help in sustaining our important work. If you have ever loved our work, please help it survive in the times. It can't without you.

I love you.

peace,

Patch

Comments

Hi Patch

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 05/31/2009 - 14:11.

Hi Patch my name is Shaun. I'm glad you had fun. See you in Moscow. :)

Your a good man Doctor Patch

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 05/23/2009 - 08:56.

Dear Doctor Patch,

Do you have a place for me? I'm at the very end of my rope and soon will have no choices or anywhere to go. Another persons hatred and greed has put me on the ropes and I'm going down for the last count. I feel as if I've been waterboarded for the last 2 years and am finally drowning. and it's a feeling of great relief.

I would not be reaching out to you if I wasn't at the very end of the road in search for help because there are problems so much bigger in the world then mine. Gaza, Darfur, Iraq, Afghanistan, The Ivory Coast, and so many more place where their suffering is almost unspeakable and far worse then anything done to me.

I've tried to help whenever and where ever I could. I've bought fair trade products from Rwanda, Darfur, India, and several South American countries. My favorite web sites is the Care 2 network www.care2.com and Greater Good Network http://www.charityusa.com/chausa/index.html I've bought goats for Rwanda and uncounted items made by people who have next to nothing.

I now find myself losing everything. After nearly 11 years and $20,000 paid in lot rent for my 100% paid for mobile home my millionaire landlord is putting me off. I've searched for months for another place for my 30 year old mobile home (80x14 2 br 2 ba ) but there's just no place to park it. I have the money to move it but no where to take it to.

I run a chihuahua rescue here and have 12 of the tiny's, 6 coming to me in the last 12 months from people who have lost their homes to foreclosure. Soon all of us will be homeless. I am 100% disabled but receive almost $700.00 a month in disability.

Even though I am disabled I have the greenest thumb you ever saw. My friends used to say I am the Jesus of plants because I can make the dead rise if it's got a tint of green left. :) . If you don't have a greenhouse I would like to come start one and if you do I would like to come and work there. Just because I'm disable doesn't mean I can't work and contribute.

I am pretty much a hermit and have been in self exile most of the last 15 years, I really have no other friends than the ones who live inside my computer.

If it wasn't for blogging on http://www.myspace.com/blueinmo the last few years I think I would have died of loneliness.

Do you have a place for me and my chihuahuas? Come June 10th if my home is not off his property he will call the sheriff who will drag me out of MY home and put me in the street. Then he can file papers saying I abandoned it and my home will become his (for free), that he will rent for $450.00 a month.

I've lost everything before and know possessions can be replaced. But the dogs know something is up. All are friendly and love people and attention except Eli Manning who was so abused when someone dumped him over my fence it took 4 weeks to convince him I would not harm him so he can be a little weary of stranger at first. Lily and Wookie are blind as bats. Sweet Pea came to me with a broken jaw and Matilda a broken leg that healed but ended up crippled. Little man I rescued from a puppy mill he was wormy, and had no muscle mass from being in a cage all his life. And Daisy who's owners were told she was a teacup and now weighs about 15 pounds LOL.

I have fences and gates and a great big 8 foot stock tank for my last 2 ducks who have a new home to go to if I can ever catch them. I also have 5 pallets 2,600 bricks worth about $1,260. I would like to bring everything with me and I have no problem giving it all to the Gesundheit Institute including my monthly disability money.

All I am and have is a cheap price to pay when I think about the greater good I would receive in being part of something that is rarely found any place on Earth, the Gesundheit Institute.

If your interested in me as someone you think has something left to give, someone can contact me at blueinmo@hotmail.com or call me at 417-782-2793.

Yours in one belief and solidarity,

Tamara Jo Beinlich

p.s. don't worry about telling me no I will understand. You don't know me and have no reason to trust what I've written is true or not, so it's ok.

Waiting for you in Brasilia

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 05/19/2009 - 08:18.

Hi, Patch! I can't wait May 25th, when I'll have the opportunity to watch your presentation in Brasilia. You are inspiring!
Adriana - coach from Brazil - http://blog.adrianalombardo.com

Ciao,Patch!

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 05/13/2009 - 09:21.

Hi,Patch!I've never note the possibility of leaving a comment until now,and I'm so happy for this discover!!!My name is Ilaria,I'm Italian and I'm eighteen...and it's a great honour for me to leave a greeting to you.I don't Know what to say,there are so many things I could tell you!But the only words that now appear in my mind are "Thanks for existing."(sorry for the infinite mistakes in the language!) I admire your courage,I feel that there's still hope when I think about you and your friends,I manage to believe that...that Love and Smile are the most powerful things I know.Thank you for making this world better and happier.I hope I will become like you,in the future...and naturally,I hope I will meet you.;)
Bye!
Ilaria

finally got thru to comment

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 08:15.

Hi Yall This is my first time to comment on your site and I could not be more amazed on all that is being accomplished. I have X-ALD so some of my thoughts come out different than I intend to, so bear with me. I can translate later if need be. I want to volunteer in some way and I am constantly wheeling into walls. I haven't found anyplace that will make it accessible. Unfortunately, I moved to a small city that has limited transportation, (not what I checked out ahead of time) so getting there is a really pain. Since you have so many ideas with your extensive efforts in voluteering, I thought you might have some to send along. I look forward to hearing from anyone that would like to reply from your group. Have a truly blessed day, Deb sapphire708@embarqmail.com Sanger, TX

=)

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 05/11/2009 - 04:29.

What's up Patch??? Our class just watched your movie, it was great. Most of us were touched by your compassion, and unusual way to treat the patients. WE hope you are doing well. Please email if you can. WE would love to hear from you. Peace out. Mrs. Travis's class at Bunker Hill High School in Claremont, NC 28610.

Vicki_travis@catawbaschools.net

Last 3/4 year! :O)

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 04/17/2009 - 13:05.

Hi, Patch! Thank you, so much, for bringing such LIFE into our medical institutions! When my two most intimate life coaches, Renae & Andries told me they wanted to (They'll forgive me, if I'm oversimplifying) create playgrounds for senior citizens, I immediately thought of you! "Well, that makes sense," Andries immediately agreed. I'm sure thy'd be fascinated to get your feedback on such a concept (and that of your pals)! If you'd like a look at their website, it's www.peacerus.com Sunshine & Blessings, Giovani

Hi there

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 04/10/2009 - 16:17.

I've just saw the movie that is talking about you and after that i will read about you also, you are my idol ! I want to do something like you because i always knew (sort of) that what you were saying was right (even if i'm only 18 ahah) i live in canada and i was wondering what should i do just to help society like you did ? ! thank you Colette

Hey Patch!

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 04/07/2009 - 15:19.

Hi, im Jorge from Guatemala one of the medical student you gave a short seminar at Antigua's Hospital, let me tell you, it was a great experience and we are just very gratefull with your message and i can only hope that all of us spread your teachings and really help our people, as you saw Guatemala really needs the help. So i just wanted you to know how happy we are that you came. PD. we have lots of funny pictures of you, the clowns and ourselves. Have a Great day patch, continue spreding your message! Jorge, Guatemala.

Hey Patch

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 16:00.

Hey Patch! My name is Rocio and I am 15 years old. I live in Mexico and I recently saw the movie based on your life with Robin Williams in it. Let me tell you it was a excellent movie I hope you get your hospital built soon =)

Guatemala and Peace Full Sail

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/27/2009 - 12:52.

Dear Patch, I just received news you will be at Tamara and came to your site to read more and also learned here that you were in Guatemala. We have a 60 foot sailing craft heading for Guatemala in June with clothes and school supplies on our Peace Full Sail mission. We sail the world doing things for people and spread peace. We've sailed from Europe down Africa coast to Florida where we are now preparing to do a music event fund raiser(we are mostly musicians). You can find out more about us at www.myspace.com/peacefullsail and at our non profit organizations site at www.swissorg.org We'd love to have you come by if you are in the area and if you have any left overs for the children there we'd be more than happy to deliver them for you! Much Peace and Much Love for what you do LouisRicca