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He continued: “The effects of depression are real and its clutches extend to each and every family you know. My brain began giving me answers I had never before contemplated.”
#THE POEM IN PATCH ADAMS BY WALT WHITMAN FREE#
I wanted nothing more than to find a way to be free from their darkness. Having dealt with these personally, he said: “Within weeks these feelings became inescapable. Depression morphs your past, clouds your present and blackens your future.” You find logic illogical and family nonfamilial. You do not know why you are feeling what you are feeling, but the inability to find the genesis does not alleviate the depth of the distress. He said: “Much more than simple sadness, depression chisels away at your very nature. Even then, each circumstance is unique.įollowing his death, I read a poignant essay from Zach Bloxham’s To the Wonder blog called “On Depression.”īloxham writes: “It is a sad symptom of humanity that those whose hearts are filled with so much laughter and love can also be filled with so much sadness and pain.” What I do know is that it’s impossible for most of us to imagine what he was going through, what living with a mental illness is like, unless you are dealing with it yourself. Much has been written about Williams already and I will not try to add more to what I know little about. Williams was also known for his philanthropic work including being an active supporter of St. Doubtfire, Hook, What Dreams May Come and Good Morning, Vietnam. There were so many other great characters and films, of course.Īladdin, Patch Adams, Good Will Hunting, Jumanji, Mrs. And that is how I will forever remember Robin Williams. Williams’ character was also referred to as “O Captain, My Captain” by his students, from Walt Whitman’s poem about Abraham Lincoln. The film ranks up there as one of my all-time favorites. But it wasn’t until English teacher John Keating took to the screen in “Dead Poets Society” that I truly found the courage to do so.Īnd so, like so many others this week, I was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Robin Williams, who portrayed Keating in the movie. There were many along my way who encouraged me. That they might have joy column by Jacki Wood for the Nodaway News Leaderįrom a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a writer.