Recent reports said Dr. Patch Adams, famous for wearing a clown nose, was in his hospital gown when he recorded a video of himself announcing he had his lower leg amputated, saying he was thrilled with the idea that he could be called with a new nickname, 'Stumpy.'
The West Virginia-based Gesundheit! Institute! Founder, Adams was stricken with what Good News Network described as a 'nasty' recurring case of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus or MRSA six months ago.
Following three surgeries on his foot, the 75-year-old American physician realized it was time to amputate. With MRSA in there, he said he would not have a foot "healthy enough to dance or to clown," two of his favorite things.
According to the said news report, the doctor gleefully described the miracle of the present time's prosthetics, enabling people to run and do any activity that any other individual is doing. Additionally, he presently has a new prop in what's called his 'comedy tool kit.'
ALSO READ: Dr. Wu Lien-Teh: The Man Behind Today's Most Essential COVID-19 Protective Tool, Surgical Face Mask
The 75-year-old iconic physician, Patch Adams
MRSA
MRSA is a cause of staph infection that is quite hard to treat due to antibiotic resistance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, staph infections, including those resulting from MRSA, can transmit in hospitals, other than healthcare facilities, as well as in the community where one resides, works, and attend school.
Meanwhile, staphylococcus aureus or staph is a bacterial type found on the skin of humans. In addition, staph microbes are typically harmless, although they can lead to serious infections that can lead to sepsis or even death.
'Fun with Amputation'
Describing his new shorter leg, Dr. Adams said in his video, what's beautiful is, it appears like a small TV screen on the end. He added, he can have hiding small characters that sit on that screen, like a nice 'mooning' image.
The physician realized there are lots of negativities around amputation, and thus, he has already started joking with the hospital staff, titling his new schtick, "Fun with Amputation."
In a way, this has become his message for all health care providers all along-to lighten their mood, and they will lighten the struggle.
The Iconic Physician
Patch Adams is the iconic physician who has dedicated his life to providing free medical care to thousands of ill people for the last five decades.
Award-winning actor Robin Williams was chosen to play him in 'Patch Adams,' the movie, a perfect role for a doctor always wearing a clown nose and insistently jokes when meeting with patients since he understands laughter's healing power.
Because of this understanding, Patch would frequently arrive for appointments in a clown outfit. For him, health lies not in the disease's absence, although in a cheerful, vivacious, and high-spirited life.
Describing his profession, the doctor said, if an individual likes people, if he likes human interaction, medicine is, indeed, captivating. Patch also described an ideal patient as a lifetime intimate friend.
Gesundheit! Institute
At the Gesundheit! Institute, a pilot hospital model, didn't charge money, nor did they carry malpractice insurance.
This was because the institute believed that such efforts are the horror of today's medical practice, Adams explained,
Part-time jobs backed this project. Here, Adams' team discovered that the joy of practicing medicine creative is quite great that it is even worth the pay.
A trailer of the movie, Patch Adams, is shown on the Movieclips Classic Trailers' YouTube video below:
RELATED ARTICLE: What Are the Best COVID-19 Face Masks for Classrooms?
Check out more news and information on Medicine & Health on Science Times.
