Thursday, April 02, 2009

Hinohara encourages others to live a long and happy life

By JUDIT KAWAGUCHI

At the age of 97 years and 4 months, Shigeaki Hinohara is one of the world's longest-serving physicians and educators. Hinohara's magic touch is legendary: Since 1941 he has been healing patients at St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo and teaching at St. Luke's College of Nursing. After World War II, he envisioned a world-class hospital and college springing from the ruins of Tokyo; thanks to his pioneering spirit and business savvy, the doctor turned these institutions into the nation's top medical facility and nursing school. Today he serves as chairman of the board of trustees at both organizations. Always willing to try new things, he has published around 150 books since his 75th birthday, including one "Living Long, Living Good" that has sold more than 1.2 million copies. As the founder of the New Elderly Movement, Hinohara encourages others to live a long and happy life, a quest in which no role model is better than the doctor himself.

Doctor Shigeaki Hinohara
Doctor Shigeaki Hinohara JUDIT KAWAGUCHI PHOTO

Energy comes from feeling good, not from eating well or sleeping a lot. We all remember how as children, when we were having fun, we often forgot to eat or sleep. I believe that we can keep that attitude as adults, too. It's best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime.

All people who live long — regardless of nationality, race or gender — share one thing in common: None are overweight. For breakfast I drink coffee, a glass of milk and some orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil in it. Olive oil is great for the arteries and keeps my skin healthy. Lunch is milk and a few cookies, or nothing when I am too busy to eat. I never get hungry because I focus on my work. Dinner is veggies, a bit of fish and rice, and, twice a week, 100 grams of lean meat.

[ the rest of the article ]

Even at the age of 94, Shigeaki Hinohara's mind and memory are so clear as to put some of his medical students to shame

SHIGEAKI HINOHARA

Doctor of reforms


Staff writer

Even at the age of 94, Shigeaki Hinohara's mind and memory are so clear as to put some of his medical students to shame. And even despite being Japan's best-known and most highly acclaimed physician -- and chairman of the board of trustees of prestigious St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo -- Hinohara shows no sign at all of tiring in his pursuit of reform of the country's hidebound medical laws and systems. On the contrary, Hinohara confides, with a twinkle in his eye, that he is becoming "more and more radical" in his drive to raise standards -- declaring boldly that "laws must be broken or they will never change."

News photo

News photo

However, this charismatic physician, who still treats patients, was not drawn to medicine initially. Born into the family of a Methodist minister in Yamaguchi City in western Japan, may well have followed in his father's footsteps until being deeply moved by the kindness and professionalism of the local doctor who long tended his ailing mother.

Then, while studying medicine at Kyoto University, he himself contracted tuberculosis, which at that time was often a fatal disease. Due to his illness, he was not only exempted from military service, but he says that his experience of being bedridden for months has made it easier for him to understand his patients' feelings.

During this recent interview with The Japan Times, the father of three sons and grandfather of six, who has now been married for 64 years, expounded on his undiminished passion for medical reform and his view of Japan's war-renouncing Constitution. He also confided what it was he whispered to the education minister at an Imperial Palace ceremony in November when he received the Order of Culture, one of the nation's top honors and one that is only bestowed on five of Japan's most distinguished cultural and academic achievers each year.

[ rest of the article ]

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

About time

Well, yes, it is about time to activate this blog once more.

I am still nursing a couple of injured wrists as a result of a basketball freak accident.

The first article to grace this blog after a long silence or inactivity is this first from the cycling world.

"Carbon Clavicle Implanted in Lance Armstrong"


X-Ray of Lance Armstrong's (Team Astana) fractured clavicle and the INFORM carbon clavicle implant after his recent surgery.

Lance Armstrong and Bontrager today released more details regarding Armstrong’s recent collarbone surgery. While it was previously reported that Armstrong’s right clavicle was screwed and plated back together after his March 23rd crash at the Castilla y Leon stage race in Spain, Armstrong and equipment sponsor Bontrager, jointly announced that he was the world’s first recipient of an inForm® CarbonClavicle™ Upgrade.

Originally slated to be released at the AAOS (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeon) Convention May 18-24th in Las Vegas, Bontrager moved up the launch date of the inForm CarbonClavicle to aid the return of Armstrong to the peloton.

[ the rest of the story at roadcycling.com ]