SOMEONE'S AT THE FRONT DOOR


Patch Adams (1998). House Calls: How We can All Heal the World one Visit at a Time


Patch is a medical doctor and genuine clown that defines health as, "...happy, vibrant life, doing the most with what you have, with delight" (page 2). He takes clowning around, playing around, and humor seriously believing that this helps nourish the mind, body, and spirit, especially in hospitals, but also in "house calls" like the old time doctors used to make to family's homes. The book is divided into several sections: one with words/phrases with a description, things to do (practices), and cartoons to illustrate, the second section is things a visitor can do, the next section on how to be a good patient, and finally a section on special concerns when working with children, teens, elderly, mentally ill, disabled, and dying. Patch has a unique and valuable perspective on medicine, healing, and life that we all could grow into to make the world a better place.


When someone isn't feeling well, 

it's not that hard, 

rather simple really,

 to be an instrument of healing:

Share love

Listen

Sing

Be Grateful

Bring food

Be friendly

Hold their hand

Pray with them


   Wear something funny








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