has made chiropractic available to those who cannot otherwise afford it through a mission in a less urban area. “It was a month before Christmas and I was enthusiastically planning my holidays when I asked myself a very timely ques-tion,” says Dr. Smith.“What can I do to help the people in my community? At that very same moment, I received a serendipitous e-mail from fellow chiropractors Dr. Norm Detillieux and Dr. Hel-en Bergstrom in Nanaimo. They were ‘looking for a kind-hearted, generous, skilful chiropractor to adjust those in need, through the Salvation Army, on a volunteer basis during the holiday season.’ “I was certainly eager about the idea, and my girlfriend pointed out that it would be the best Christmas gift of all for some of those people! That was it! I decided that volunteering would be a present for both me and those in need! After experiencing two successful and enjoyable sessions in Nanaimo, I was asked by Maj. Rob An-derson if I would be interested in setting up a volunteer mission in my home town of Parksville. After a few meetings with local Major Rolf Guenther, the project began on April 7, 2010.” Dr. Larry Smith (right) with Maj. Rob Anderson of the Salva-tion Army Mission. pair of, often, dilapidated socks and boots – is an infection of the feet that can result in gangrene and amputation if it is not treated. It turns out that it is quite common amongst people who live on the streets – and it is not pathology that a chiropractor would typi-cally see in clinic.” Though clinically interesting, this incident resulted in more than a lesson in pathology for Dr. Lawson. “The young man removed his boots and I proceeded to exam-ine his feet and talk about how we were going to deal with them,” he recalls. “Well, he was appalled that anyone would want to touch his feet – he was also very moved that, rather than being repulsed and backing off, someone would actually reach out and lay their hands on his very compromised flesh. “It occurred to me, then, that touching one’s feet is a funny thing – it is humbling for the one touching and the one being touched. Therefore, it becomes about more than just healing the physical symptom. It’s about touching the person where they are at, at that time, and building a bridge to other, deeper issues. “The issue of touch anywhere is also a sensitive one when deal-ing with kids who have been abused, sexually and otherwise. Chi-ropractic becomes ‘good touch’ for these kids – a healing touch that can be very therapeutic but that also lets them know it is pos-sible to touch someone in a positive way.” Dr. Lawson very happily continues to give his time to the YSM, and encourages other chiropractors to consider helping out in this manner, in their own communities, if their schedules and circum-stances allow for it. “It is a chance to give back,” he notes, “but it’s also a chance to learn so much more than you ever would in your office – to learn about clinical matters but also to learn about the world in a very different way.” DR. LARRY SMITH AND THE SALVATION ARMY MISSION Whereas Dr. Lawson joined an already existing multidisciplinary health-care team at an inner-city mission, Dr. Larry Smith, a chiro-practor and Iron Man triathlete from Parksville, British Columbia, 26 • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | OCTOBER 2010 The beauty is in the simplicity “I am set up in the nursery of the Salvation Army Church,” continues Dr. Smith. “There is a sign posted outside the ‘soup kitchen’ advertising that chiropractic care is available. The pro-gram is open to anybody in our community who wants to re-ceive chiropractic care but cannot afford to pay for it. Initially the registration and reception work was provided by patients who volunteered from my office. They have graciously handed this responsibility over to the clients of the Salvation Army soup kitchen. “The beauty of this mission is in its simplicity. Armed with my portable chiropractic table, portable file box and an enthu-siastic receptionist, I treat people during the lunch hour every Wednesday between noon and 1:30. Naturally, complete patient records are kept, but there are no qualms about billing, payment or insurance companies! There is always an enthusiastic buzz in the reception area and a deep sense of caring and concern be-tween the patients. Without exception, there is a very real sense of gratitude from all those who receive chiropractic care. That is why I leave each session with more energy than I arrive with.” Dr. Smith states that the goal of Drs. Detillieux and Bergstrom was to inspire other professionals to help those in the commu-nity who need it most. Speaking from his own experience, now, he wants to pass this message along and encourage chiropractors to reach out into their own communities to provide the amazing gift of chiropractic care to those who need it the most. It is always wonderful to hear a chiropractic success story. You know the one: where a patient suffers from pain or illness that affects the full spectrum of their lives – or even threatens their ex-istence – and then is cured, or at least vastly improved, through receiving care from a chiropractor. How much more inspiring the story becomes when a DC goes out into the community to provide chiropractic, especially to those who, arguably, are in the greatest need of being cared for. Ah – the story has become more than wonderful or inspiring. It is now a love story. But, the hero is neither the doctor, nor the patient who turned to chiropractic. If one examines the love stories told by Drs. Lawson and Smith, one learns that the hero is the energy that pulls people in need together with those who can help, benefiting both of them and carving indelible lessons on the lives of all who are involved. • www.canadianchiropractor.ca
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor October 2010: Page 26
