South America A continental chiropractic adventure Dr. Chicoine, in front of the van with the six Chicoine children, at Corire, Peru, the world’s largest fi eld of petroglyphs. C Dr. Ed Chicoine graduated from CMCC in 1983 and currently prac- tises in Wakefield and Maniwaki, Quebec.He and his wife undertook a unique family adventure as part of a home-schooling experience for their six children and have now published a bestselling book. Visit www.livingdreamsbook.com and www.mresite.com or write to ed@ mresite.com. ould you imagine selling your practice as well as most of your belongings? Could you imagine packing up your family into your van, to leave on an adventure with only a vague destination in mind? Beginning in January 1997, my wife, our six children – aged three to 12 – and I, drove from our home in Quebec, to the bottom of South America and, eventually, back home. In total, our adventure spanned a period of three years. Our voyage by overland travel through 15 different countries turned out to be enlight- ening – not only for us, but for many whom we met, as well. While our family experienced various cultures, I was able to bring chiropractic into many communities, and I did so anywhere the opportunity arose. For my home-schooled family, the journey became life learning at its best. What gave me and my family the ability to do what we did? For starters, a portable adjusting table and a model spine. HOW MANY ROADS? Chile, with only one chiropractor in the entire country, was our primary destination; but I also aimed to provide chiropractic care to as many people as possible, along the way. Wherever we stopped, all I had to do was mention that I was a chiropractic doctor from Canada, explain what I did, using the spine, and offer adjustments. Once a few people experienced the treatment, it wasn’t long before many others would turn up wanting an adjustment as well. For example, in Tacna, Peru, I adjusted a woman who was so impressed with the im- provement she saw in her body, that she arranged a temporary clinic for me in the local medical offi ce, preceded by a radio interview that generated immediate interest in chiro- practic throughout the area. Her enthusiasm resulted in my being able to adjust 40 people on the first day. CHIROPRACTIC AND THE CHILEAN EXPERIENCE We arrived in Chile six months after our departure from Canada. By that time, I was able to communicate effectively in Spanish. I was fortunate to be able to hire an enthusiastic assistant, who was highly motivated to educate the Chileans about our chiropractic services. Because of her, I was an invited guest 18 • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | JULY/ AUGUST 2008 www.canadianchiropractor.ca Ed Chicoine, BPHE, DC, FCCSS(C) feature
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