Dr. Benjamin Carson is a world-renowned neurosurgeon and former director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Described as "one of the acknowledged miracle workers of modern medicine" by Christopher Phillips of Reader's Digest, Carson received recognition throughout the medical community for his skill in performing complex and delicate neurosurgical procedures, primarily on children. Among his accomplishments are a number of successful hemispherectomies, a complicated surgical process in which a portion of the brain of a critically ill seizure victim or other neurologically diseased patient is removed to restore normal function. Carson performed his most famous operation--one that gained him international
The clip that was particularly memorable was the story of both Katie Worrick and Michael Rehbein’s hemispherectomy. From a neurological perspective, it was astounding to watch both these children survive and function without a part of their brain and if that wasn’t enough they were functioning remarkably well from a cognitive point of reference. I did wonder at first why Katie was still not speaking, but realized that her surgery was still recent when the documentary was made. Just like Michael, who took about 2 years after surgery to regain some of his speech after persistently working on it, Katie too could hope for the same. Having said that, I am also aware of Neuroscientist Dana Boatman’s conclusion that results and recovery times vary from child to child. I did try to find out more about the two children featured in this documentary to see how much life had improved, but could not find any documented information except for an answer to a blog about hemispherectomy by Katie’s mom that said, “My name is Janie Warrick and I live in Richmond, VA. My daughter, Katie who is now 17, had a left hemispherectomy Aug. 8, 2000 in Baltimore, Maryland at Johns Hopkins
One of the most famous forms of a cure during the 1930s was a surgery called Lobotomy. “Lobotomy, also known as leucotomy which mean cut/slice white in Greek, or its nickname of ice pick, is a neurosurgical operation that involves severing connection in the brain’s prefrontal lobe” according to Freeman. Lobotomy was performed by
The first patient I saw was a 14 month old boy who sustained a non-accidental head injury. He underwent surgery in July that relieved the excess pressure and fluid around his brain, resulting in him becoming a left hemiplegic.
Through the operation, science was given breakthrough data and opened a whole new world of possibility. “You're accomplishing in days and weeks what it takes normal people to do in half a lifetime.” While intellect isn’t everything, there’s no questioning that it sure is useful. If everyone had intelligence that skied beyond that of modern geniuses, society and general life for anyone and everyone would improve substantially. “Dr. Strauss said that someday thousands of neurosurgeons might be using his technique all over the world.” With a few tweaks in the operation and some technological improvement, the operation’s effects could move from temporary to permanent. As a result, people all over the world, no matter their original intellect level, could be given
Sabbatini, Renato M.E. “The History of Psychosurgery” June/August 1997. Brain & Mind Magazine. 14 Jun.1997. State University of Campinus, Brazil. 6 Oct. 2002
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a representation of the new prospect of upward mobility in colonial America during the 18th century and the development of the Age of Reason, which assisted in the conception of the idea of the “American Dream”; a dream that includes fundamentally social ideals such as democracy, equality, and material prosperity. Furthermore, Franklin’s autobiography exemplifies a significant shift in focus from religion to enlightenment and reason. Additionally, there were forces specific to Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia, that played an important role in his perspectives and the changes that occurred within colonial America during the 18th century.
In The Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin recounts the many paramount experiences throughout his life that shaped him into great American figure he was known to be. On the opening page, Franklin reveals the book’s epistolary format by writing, “Dear Son,” going on to admit that he’s made some mistakes in the past and to recollect that past is a way to relive it. By divulging his desire to “change some sinister Accidents & Events” (Franklin 3) the author indicates how important it is for his son to observe as he amends his mistakes. Pride, virtue and vanity play a pivotal role in Benjamin Franklin’s life and the way he portrays himself to others. Instances occur where the author is shown gloating about his great accomplishments and he puts emphasis on his need to live a virtuous and morally perfect life. Throughout his story, Benjamin Franklin tells his son of his many virtuous acts and momentous achievements, motivating the question as to whether he seeks his own approval more so than the approval of his peers.
Throughout his life Ben Carson faced many trials and tribulations. All of which forced him to make life altering decisions. Going from a “disturbed” child and adolescent to an outstanding surgeon society would think Dr. Carson made the right choices, but along the way Ben wasn’t so sure.
“The color of the skin is in no way connected with strength of the mind or intellectual powers”. The words of wisdom from the intelligent Mathematician by the name of Benjamin Banneker. Benjamin Banneker was an African American almanac author and writer and farmer. He was born in Ellicott’s Mills, Maryland on November 9th, 1731. Benjamin was the first African-American to invent the first functioning clock. Benjamin was a self-educated black man who had known about math and astronomy which is a branch of science that deals with objects, space and the physical universe.
Gifted Hands is the story of the world famous Pediatric Neurosurgeon, Ben Carson. The book tells of Carson’s journey from the bottom of his fifth grade class to his current position as director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. In his autobiography Carson explains how a strong faith in god, and the help of an extremely strong mother, he was able to overcome not only the doubts of his classmates and teachers but also the doubts of his own intelligence, and turn his life around.
There are many men in American History whose lives helped shape the future of not only this nation, but of the world and one man among them is Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin is known for his inventions, his philosophies, political influence in the American Revolution and his published writings, including his autobiography. Though he is an important man in history, there are some people who say that as a person, Franklin wasn’t someone to be admired. To determine if Franklin is worthy of admiration, many critics review his autobiography and through it, many aspects of his actions and his personality throughout different experiences in his life.
Ben Carson shares the trait of determination with King Arthur. Throughout the tales of King Arthur, the king displayed examples of his determination; such as when he battled with his son Mordred. “I'm a good neurosurgeon. That's not a boast but a way of acknowledging the innate ability God has given to me. Beginning with determination and using my gifted hands, I went on for training and sharpening for my skills. ” - Ben Carson. Carson says that he is determined but shows it as well. When he was a neurosurgeon he took the chance to save two siamese twins from germany who had been joined through the head. This procedure of separation had never been attempted before. This displays Carson’s huge courage and selflessness.
The first known medical procedure is called trephination. Trephination is the cutting of a hole through one's skull to relive excess pressure. This dates back to as early as the Stone Age, around 3,000 BC. Unearthed remains of successful brain operations, as well as surgical instruments, were found in France at one of Europe's noted archeological digs. The success rate was remarkable, even around 7,000 BC. Skulls have been found from about 8,000 BC with these telltale holes, most of which are exact and show growth, meaning that patients often lived for weeks, even months, afterwards . Pre-historic evidence of brain surgery was not limited to Europe. Early Incan civilization used brain surgery as an extensive practice as early as 2,000 BC. In Paracas, Peru, archeological evidence indicates that brain surgery was used frequently. Here, too, an inordinate success rate was noted as patients were restored to health. The treatment was used to treat mental illnesses they blamed on evil spirits, epilepsy, headaches, and osteomylitis, as well as head injuries. Brain surgery was also used for both spiritual and magical reasons; often, the practice was limited to kings, priests and the nobility. Surgical tools in South America were made of both bronze and carved obsidian. The Akkadians used trephination thousands of years later for the same purposes, and the practice was improved until it reached the state of today.
When you think of British poets you quickly think of William Shakespeare. But, did you know that Shakespeare was not the only famous and successful play writer during his time? In fact, there were hundreds of famous British writers we do not hear about. One of Williams Shakespeare biggest competors was the successful Ben Jonson. Jonson was one of the most extravagant poetic that ever lived. He was known for his humorous plays, poems, and literary critics (www.luminarium.org).
In the graphic communications world, David Carson is known as the “American graphic designer, whose unconventional style revolutionized visual communication forever” (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2013). He is famous for his experimental typography, and his never-thought-to-be-done-before magazine designs (David Carson, 2013). But in the beginning, he was just a regular person. On September 8, 1955, David Carson was born in Corpus Christi, Texas (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2013). At an early age he found his first passion of surfing, and was ranked 8th in the world (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2013). He soon realized that he could not make a living off of surfing so he found a new passion