Page 5 - C.A.L.L. #34 - Winter 2011/2012

We are privileged to be able to share with you the thoughts of doctor, clown and
social activist Patch Adams. This piece has been specifically written for us at
C.A.L.L., and explores Patch’s relationship to ‘community’.

Dear Anton,

My first costume was a gorilla costume. with 170 clown trips, connecting with

I have always felt membership as a other groups collecting people who will
primate community. Jane Goodall's fill the hospital when it is built. This
pieces in National Geographic were collection is the community organically
most captivating for me. We are made formed in its current form. In those 12
to live in community! Nuclear family was years we determined what qualities
an unhealthy failing institution. I would be the culture of our hospital
started an intentional community in tribe. We wanted our hospital, full time
March of 1971, a model hospital staff and volunteers to be the vision of
addressing all the problems of health happy, funny, loving, cooperative,
care delivery in one creative, and
model. All of the The smartest decision in my thoughtful. This
original ideas are would be the

beautifully intact life was that I am a WE. I am atmosphere. We
except on: NO tribal. If someone asks what want our free
publicity. Our model is playful practice
so radical that has been most interesting, of medicine to
without publicity, fulfilling, stimulating, it is prevent burnout.
we'd never get built. The ideas of
Everything we've done community. Gesundheit have
has been communal. been the glue for
For 12 years we lived together to test our sustained interest, passion and
our ideas, to be play. "We" is the nest so that, the "I"

a model can fly. I don't have an "I" that isn't a
alternative to "we". At the heart of our spirituality is
the business friendship, and at the kidney of
hospital model. friendship is fun and love. The world's
After this it disasters need everyone's help.
was clear, to In Peace,
continue we
had to close Patch
our doors and
focus on Gesundheit! Institute
PO Box 307
building our
Patch Adams ideal hospital. Urbana, IL 61803

So for 28 Ph: (217)344-9077
years since, we have circled the global Fax: (217)344-9102