Newsletter: January 2003

• Treatment or Prevention?
• The Ambulance Down in the Valley

NOTE: I am available for presentations, talks and/or workshops on a variety of topics suitable for any size group. Contact the office for more info and/or to make arrangements

Treatment or Prevention?

The recent Romanow report is asking the federal government to inject 15 billion dollars into our ailing health care system. There is mention of preventative strategies to help Canadians become healthier while saving our tax dollars at the same time. A national vaccination program and education to help Canadians quit smoking are two excellent ideas.

However, I feel that Mr. Romanow is still placing far too much emphasis on costly technology and expensive prescription drugs while virtually ignoring the tremendously cost effective approach of chiropractic care. Yes, we do need more C.T. scans and MRI units and necessary prescription medications, however, it is my opinion that if we spent 10% of our health care budget on prevention strategies, we would save hundreds of millions of dollars every year.

I have been speaking to some local community groups this past year emphasizing the benefits and cost-effectiveness of chiropractic care. In my presentation, I read the following poem about the "Ambulance Down In The Valley". I am sure you'll get the message after reading it. Please email me at drlarr@nanaimo.ark.com with your comments and remember I would be happy to speak to your group or club this year.

The Ambulance Down in the Valley

The people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally.
Some said, "Put a fence 'round the edge of the cliff"
Some, "An ambulance down in the valley."

The lament of the crowd was profound and was loud,
As their hearts overflowed with their pity;
But the cry for the ambulance carried the day
As it spread through the neighbouring city.

A collection was made to accumulate aid,
And the dwellers in highway and alley Gave dollars and cents
-- not to furnish a fence
But an ambulance down in the valley.

"For the cliff is all right if you're careful", they said;
"And if folks ever slip and are dropping,
It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down below -- when they're stopping."

So for years (we have heard), as these mishaps occurred
Quick forth would the rescuers sally,
To pick up the victims who fell from the cliff
With the ambulance down in the valley.

Said one, to his plea, "It's a marvel to me
That you'd give so much greater attention
To repairing results than to curing the cause;
You had much better aim at prevention.

For the mischief, of course, should be stopped at its source,
Come, neighbours and friends, let us rally.
It is far better sense to rely on a fence
Than an ambulance down in the valley."

"He is wrong in his head," the majority said;
"He would end all our earnest endeavour,
He's a man who would shirk this responsible work,
But we will support it forever.

Aren't we picking up all, just as fast as they fall,
And giving them care liberally?
A superfluous fence is of no consequence,
If the ambulance works in the valley."

The story looks queer as we've written it here,
But things oft occur that are stranger.
More humane, we assert, than to succor to the hurt,
Is the plan of removing the danger.

The best possible course is to safeguard the source
Attend to things rationally,
Yes, build up the fence and let us dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley.

Larry Smith, D.C., B.P.E.

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Contact the office:
Dr. Larry Smith D.C., B.P.E.
Chiropractor

P.O. Box 307
255 Island Highway
Parksville, British Columbia
Canada V9P 2G5