31 quotes
Balancing Patient Care with Medical Treatment
Patch Adams
We need to start treating the patient as well as the disease.
A Moment of Shared Vulnerability
Carin Fisher
When can I open my eyes?
[while Patch is driving]
Patch Adams
As soon as I open mine.
[joking]
The Desire for Transformation and Freedom
Carin Fisher
Men have been attracted to me all my life. All my life. When I was a girl I would look out my bedroom window at the caterpillars; I envied them so much. No matter what they were before, no matter what happened to them, they could just hide away and turn into these beautiful creatures that could fly away completely untouched.
[pause, she tears up]
The Journey of Helping Others
Patch Adams
I wanted to become a ] so I could ] others. And because of that, I've ] everything. But I've also gained ].
[[doctor; [serve; [lost; [everything]
The Value of Treating the Whole Person
Patch Adams
You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you'll win, no matter what the outcome.
Finding Home Amidst Life's Journey
Patch Adams
] of ] is a coming ]. Salesmen, secretaries, coal miners, beekeepers, sword swallowers, all of us. All the restless ] of the ], 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 ]? The storm was all in my mind. Or as the poet ] 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.
[[All; [life; [home; [hearts; [world; [storm; [Dante]
Defiance in the Face of Authority
Patch Adams
Now you have the ability to keep me from graduating. You can keep me from getting the title and the white coat. But you can't control my spirit, gentlemen. You can't keep me from learning, you can't keep me from studying. So you have a choice: you can have me as a professional colleague, passionate, or you can have me as an outspoken outsider, still adament. Either way I'll probably still be viewed as a thorn. But I promise you one thing: I am a thorn that will not go away.
Charlie
Is that all?
Patch Adams
I hope not, sir.
Questioning Creation and Compassion
Patch Adams
So what now, huh? What do you want from me? Yeah, I could do it. We both know you wouldn't stop me. So answer me please. Tell me what you're doing. Okay, let's look at the logic. You create man. Man suffers enormous amounts of pain. Man dies. Maybe you should have had just a few more brainstorming sessions prior to creation. You rested on the seventh day. Maybe you should've spent that day on compassion. You know what? You're not worth it.
[standing on the edge of a cliff contemplating suicide. He talks to God . .; looks down over cliff, a rock tumbles off; looks down over the cliff again; walks away from the cliff]
Reflections on Death and Fear
Patch Adams
What's wrong with death, sir? What are we so mortally afraid of? Why can't we treat ] with a certain amount of ] and ], and ], and ] forbid, maybe even ]. Death is not the ] gentlemen. If we're going to fight a ], let's fight one of the most terrible diseases of all, ].
[[death; [humanity; [dignity; [decency; [God; [humor; [enemy; [disease; [indifference]
A Humorous Take on Future Success
Joletta
Look here, Judy, another future boss.
Patch Adams
Oh, I wouldn't look at it like that.
Joletta
You may think I'm exaggerating, but in another five years you'll be so full of yourself you'll have to hang a cup out your ass just to catch the excess.
Finding Joy in Caring for Others
Patch Adams
* Quotation of by ]
[http://www.english.emory.edu/Bahri/Neruda.html|Sonnet XVII; [Pablo Neruda]
The Importance of Genuine Human Connection
Patch Adams
Last night with Rudy, I connected to another human being. I want more of that. I want to learn about people, help them with their troubles.
Dr. Prack
That's what I do.
Patch Adams
But you suck at it. You don't even listen to them when they talk. I wanna listen; I wanna really listen. You don't understand. I'm leaving.
Dr. Prack
Hunter, if you leave my records will say AMA, that you signed out of this hospital Against Medical Advice.
Patch Adams
And mine will say IDGARA: I Don't Give A Rat's Ass. And my name is Patch.
Focus on Solutions, Not Problems
Arthur Mendelson
You're focusing on the problem. If you focus on the problem, you can't see the solution. Never focus on the problem!
Weight Loss and Unexpected Outcomes
Patch Adams
Hey, I'm trying to lose a little weight, here. Have I lost too much? Have I gone too far? Got a boner. I am a boner.
Age Is Just a Number in Medicine
Mitch Roman
I don't mean to be rude, but aren't you a little old to be starting medical school?
Patch Adams
You know, Babe Ruth was 39 when he joined the Yankees.
Mitch Roman
No, he wasn't!
Patch Adams
I know. If you have a better example, please tell me. Hi. Patch Adams.
Mitch Roman
Mitch Roman. Georgetown University. I was awarded the William F. Thompson Scientific Achievement Award.
Patch Adams
Mmm. Emerson Elementary. I once drew a picture of a rabbit that got me two gold stars.
Humor in Unexpected Places
Patch Adams
We can head on down to the maternity ward. You know those chicks put out.
Unconditional Love and Intimacy
Patch Adams
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where, I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I don't know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes that close.
Questioning Integrity and Privilege in Medicine
Patch Adams
You told Walcott I cheated. I know you did it, just tell me why.
[Angrily entering his room to his roommate Mitch Roman]
Mitch Roman
Look, cut the crap, Hunter. I live with you, I know how much you study, or should I say "don't" study. And you do better than me? Give me a break.
Patch Adams
You arrogant, pompous prick! Who appointed you custodian in medical profession? Is it because your father was a doctor, and his father was a doctor? Is it some sort of genetic thing?
Mitch Roman
You're damn right.
Patch Adams
Really?
Mitch Roman
You know, I grew up with it. I know what it takes to look in the eyes of dying people day after day after day and then come home for dinner at night. I know what it takes. You don't have it.
Patch Adams
Oh, really? And you do? If you don't like me, just say it.
Mitch
I don't like you!!!
[shouts]
Patch Adams
Why don't you like me? You're a prick, and I like you.
Mitch
Because you make my effort a joke! I want to be a doctor! This isn't a game to me! This isn't play time! This is serious business! I have it in me to be a great doctor! But in order to do that, I have to sacrifice in order to be better.
Patch Adams
Better? Better than me?
Mitch
I will save lives that have otherwise not been saved. Now, I can be like you, and go around laughing and have a good time, ha-ha, but I prefer to learn. Because the more I learn, the more likely I will have the right answer the crucial moment and save a life. And you say I'm a prick? You say I'm a prick? You know, maybe I am. But you ask the average person when death comes knocking at their door, whether they'll want a prick on their side, or some kindergarten teacher who's gonna kiss their ass! Because when that day comes, I'll want the prick, and so will you.
Patch Adams
You know, I forget how young you are, Mitch. That you think that you have to be a prick to get things done, and that you actually think that that's a new idea.
[Leaving the room]
Exploring the Many Ways to Describe Death
Patch Adams
Preview of coming attractions.
Bill Davis
Nurse...
[calling out]
Patch Adams
Death. To die. To expire. To pass on. To perish. To peg out. To push up daisies. To push up posies. To become extinct. Curtains, deceased, demised, departed, and defunct. Dead as a doornail. Dead as a herring. Dead as a mutton. Dead as nits. The last breath. Paying a debt to nature. The big sleep. God's way of saying, "Slow down.
[reads from the book]
Bill Davis
To check out.
[he starts to yell at Patch but changes his mind]
Patch Adams
To shuffle off this mortal coil.
Bill Davis
To head for the happy hunting ground.
Patch Adams
To blink for an exceptionally long period of time.
Bill Davis
To find oneself without breath.
Patch Adams
To be the incredible decaying man.
Bill Davis
Worm buffet.
Patch Adams
Kick the bucket.
Bill Davis
Buy the farm.
Clarifying Intentions in a Competitive Environment
Carin Fisher
Lesbian, airhead, ballbuster, whichever one of these disgusts you the most, take your pick. Please spread the word: I'm not here to date. I'm not here to flirt. I'm here to study.
Seeing Beyond Fear and Conformity
Arthur Mendelson
See what no one else sees. See what everyone chooses not to see... out of fear, conformity or laziness. See the whole world anew each day!
Questions About Life and Existence
Patch Adams
Excuse me, Beenie. Which way is heaven Correct. Beenie, how much taller is Wilt Chamberlain than you?
[due to Beenie's catatonic state, his hand is raised; everyone laughs (except Dr. Prack); patients laugh]
Rudy
Hey, Beenie, Beenie, Beenie. Where's the ceiling?
Bile
Where do the birds fly, Beenie?
Patch Adams
How do you say hello to Hitler?
Other patient
Beenie, Beenie. How does Hitler say hello?
Patch Adams
Beenie, how do you check an elephant for a hernia? Who can win a staring contest? Beenie!!
[patients laugh; points to Beenie]
Rudy
Who... who farted?
Patch Adams
Who likes to masturbate? Beenie, how does a one-armed referee say, "Field goal?
[all patients and "Patch" raise their hands]
Confrontation Over Responsibilities in Medicine
Dean Walcott
...You are not cut out to be a physician and it is my responsibility--
Patch Adams
Responsibility? You have one responsibility: To be a dickhead. How hard can that be? All you have to do is make sure your head is a dick and it's attached to your neck.
Humor and Healing Through Unconventional Methods
Patch Adams
* Using a skeleton as a puppet
Enhancing Life Beyond Merely Delaying Death
Patch Adams
Our job is improving the ] of life, not just delaying death.
[[quality]
Appreciating a Unique Perspective on Connection
Patch Adams
I'm really starting to love the back of your head.
Humor in Medical Conversations
Arthur Mendelson
You learn anything about proctology yet?
[his attorney is expressing concern over him using his land for Patch's free medical clinic]
Patch Adams
A little.
Arthur Mendelson
Good. Take care of this asshole for me, will you?