parents, to name a few. They hail from a wide range of backgrounds; some are, ironically, from very privileged homes – where support for their problems has not been forthcoming – and others from environ-ments of debilitating poverty. The mission offers protection within a surprisingly friendly-looking drop-in environment. Activities are made available daily, as well as food, counselling of various sorts, a nursery, and, in what one might call the bowels of the building, a career centre and a heath clinic. Youths in need are never discrimi-nated against, regardless of social standing, race, creed, sexual orien-tation, nature or severity of illnesses, or any other characteristic. All who need help are welcome. While providing assistance with basic needs, YSM also strives to teach youths valuable life skills, such as training them to keep a house and/or retain a job. Skills and concepts are introduced one step at a time, in an attempt to slowly build each individual’s sense of dignity, self-esteem and worth, and foster a constructive, sustain-able independence. Mission staff work daily to reach out through a variety of programs that are carefully targeted to each individual’s unique needs. The health-care facility at the YSM offers a holistically struc-tured blend of services. The vision of, and almost single-handedly developed by, a registered nurse named Ruth Ewert, the clinic is composed of over 60 health professionals, including family doctors, dentists, psychologists, nurses, RMTs, a naturopath, foot specialists and chiropractors, all of whom participate on a volunteer basis. The clinic also benefits from established relationships with local pharma-cists and receives a number of donations from various medical and health-care suppliers. Ewert aspires to attract good people to staff the clinic, constantly searching for experienced practitioners with a solidly patient-centred philosophy. “Eighty-five per cent of our kids are abused,” says Ewert, whose aura of constructive realism and inclusive compassion is devoid of worldly pessimism or unnecessary pathos. “They require an adult they can trust, and trust takes time and effort to build.” A different brand of experience It was part of Ewert’s personal vision to include chiropractic services in the YSM clinic. As a result, a growing cohort of DCs are becom-ing involved, including Dr. Gordon Lawson, a Toronto chiropractor with a wide range of clinical experience. After four years as one of YSM’s regular volunteer DCs, Dr. Law-son aspires to provide benefits that extend beyond musculoskeletal issues to include nutritional counselling. He spends as much time as necessary with each patient, in an effort to open a dialogue, thus ac-cessing “the whole person” sitting in front of him, and building that individual’s ability to trust. “I spend at least half an hour getting to know them and making sure they understand that my interaction with them is completely non-judgmental,” says Dr. Lawson. “Their symptom serves as a por-tal of entry – it is not an end, in itself.” “Chiropractic offers the kids a solution that is drug-free,” he con-tinues. “Many of these kids have faced addictions and the last thing they need, or, very often, want, is to be given drugs.” Dr. Lawson describes working with youth at the YSM as a very different and eye-opening experience. “A young man once came to me for pain in his feet – it turns out he had trench foot” is the example he recounts. “Trench Foot – originally named so because it was widely noted in soldiers of the First World War who stood in cold, dank trenches wearing the same www.canadianchiropractor.ca CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | OCTOBER 2010 • 25 The Best for your Patients The original K-Tape is now available in “pre-cut” single applications with instructions. Developed by the K-Taping Academy. In depth description of the six applications. Attractive and practical display available for clinic sales. More information and videos at www.orthocanada.com/k-tape
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor October 2010: Page 25
