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During my last year at chiropractic school, I was privileged
to be included in a chiropractic mission to El Salvador. I
joined a group of fifty dedicated chiropractors and interns
for a weeklong trip. In small groups, we spread out all
over the country to bring chiropractic to the people of El
Salvador. My small group was stationed at a church in the
capital, San Salvador.
The
first morning we arrived just before 8:00 a.m. to see 100
people lined up outside of the church. Some had traveled
for more than four hours by bus.
Through word of mouth and news reports, they had heard of
our arrival and anxiously waited to be seen by the American
chiropractors.
Seven of us quickly set up our adjusting tables in a small
room just inside of the church. As the clock struck 8:00
a.m., the outside doors opened and the line rushed forward.
It was first come, first serve and as soon as one patient
finished, the next in line was just seconds away. Being a
chiropractic intern, I was used to seeing only a few
patients per day. I quickly adapted my skills to be able to
see over 100 patients per day. The range of conditions,
illnesses, and complaints was amazing. There was everything
from severe scoliosis and back injuries to heart problems
and diabetes.
Many patients touched my heart during my time in El
Salvador, but the most memorable was Miguel. About half way
through the first morning, a mother brought her six-year-old
son to me. My Spanish was very limited, but with the help
of a translator, I understood the boy to have a very weak
immune system.
He
had frequent head and chest colds, sinus infections and
bronchitis. His mother was very concerned about him, since
he was continually sick.
After examining the boy, I discovered he had severe
misalignment of one of the vertebrae in his upper neck. I
adjusted him that morning. I explained to his mother that
we were only here for a week and it was vitally important
that he be adjusted as often as possible. She agreed to
bring him back for his second adjustment that afternoon and
then every day that week.
The
next day I kept my eye out for him. I didn't see him in the
morning, but I saw him just after lunch. He had a big smile
on his face and was very excited to be back. I checked him
again and found some improvement since the previous day.
Encouraged by the changes, I made another adjustment in his
upper neck.
On
the third day, I was again thrilled to see Miguel and his
mother. Not only did Miguel have a huge smile on his face;
this time so did his mother. She was elated and was talking
so quickly in Spanish that my translator could hardly keep
up. I understood about Miguel's illnesses, but I did not
know about his other challenges. His mother explained that
Miguel had difficulty talking because he had problems making
certain sounds and articulating his words. He had
previously been shy and withdrawn due to his difficulty
communicating.
Miguel's mother was so excited because suddenly Miguel's
ability to communicate completely changed. He began talking
as a normal six-year-old boy would. He was able to form
sounds properly and articulate his words. Miguel could
express himself and tell stories and be the young boy he was
meant to be.
I
will never forget Miguel, nor the precious week I spent
serving in El Salvador. It was an honor and a privilege to
be part of that mission. Everyone greeted me with a warm
heart and open arms. They are some of the most loving and
gracious people I have ever met. I left El Salvador not
only with memories that will touch my heart forever, but
also a bag filled with gifts from many of the patients as a
thank you for bringing chiropractic into their lives. Every
time I think of Miguel it reminds me that there is a hidden
miracle in all of us just waiting to be uncovered.
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Reprinted by permission of Laura L. Peterson, D.C. (c) 2003
from Chicken Soup for the Chiropractic Soul by Jack
Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Dr. Fabrizio Mancini.
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May your day be blessed
Bob Johnston |
