Newsletter: March 2005

• Editorial by Dr. Larry: "Argue Your Limitations?"
• Inspirational Story: "Who To Believe?"
• "Hockey Referee Has Career Saved By Chiropractic"
• Patient Testimonial of the Month
• Of Interest In The Community
• Free Chiropractic Consumer's Report

Dear Subscribers:

As is all too often the case with computers, I regret to advise all of you that in attempting to upgrade to a new computer, I have lost the address book from my old computer. This information was where we kept our subscribers' email addresses. Dr. Larry and I have attempted to piece together as much of our list as we could, and I have been advising our current patients of this situation and I am re-collecting addresses. However, we have lost approximately 80 contacts. Unfortunately, I cannot contact those of you who have been 'lost' I can only hope that you will visit our site and read this information and discover why you were not alerted about this month's newsletter as you usually are. Please email us again with your wish to "subscribe" and we will make sure you are put back on our list. Also, I would like to apologize to the few of you who are receiving this newsletter link after having notified us that you wished to "unsubscribe". Those requests were 'lost' as well. If you wish, please advise us again to "unsubscribe" and we will see to it.

Again, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you and I take full responsibility for NOT having done a recent back-up of the data so that it might have been recovered.

Nancy

I once again had the opportunity of playing with the NHL Old-Timer's in an exhibition game last week. I was most impressed with the stars of yesteryear and how their every movement seemed so magical. Who was the most impressive player on the ice? Bobby Bourne (New York Islanders) skated end to end with absolutely fascinating puck handling abilities. Bryan Trottier (New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins) and Tiger Williams (Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks) were equally as brilliant with their skills and goal scoring abilities. But, the most amazing person on the ice that night was Doug Johnson. If you don't recognize his name, do not be alarmed. He did not play in the NHL. He was one of the eight mortals from our area who had the privilege of participating in this special hockey game. Doug is a passionate hockey fan who plays old timer's hockey on a regular basis. He has had two hip replacements and was scheduled to have a knee replacement on the day of the big game. He cancelled the surgery so he could play! Doug does not allow supposed limitations to interfere with him leading an active exciting life!

So, why do other people accept the limitations that are proclaimed by somebody else? In many social settings, I hear one person or another comment that they can't walk (or bike, run, garden, golf, play, etc.) because they have a medical condition - arthritis, diabetes, sciatica, joint replacement. I usually ask them what they are doing or have done to try to help themselves recover from this condition. Have you seen a chiropractor? What exercises are you doing? What type of stretching, cardio and strengthening program are you on? In many (not all) cases, I get a look from the person suggesting I am speaking Swahili!

"Oh, I can't do any of those things!"

"Why not?"

"Because my doctor told me I can't do that. I have to rest and take these pills until it gets better."

There may very well be some boundaries that cannot be crossed, but I do not understand why some people are not trying anything to improve the quality of their life. I have heard all the excuses and I have a hard time buying most, if not all, of them. My mother has severe osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, scoliosis and celiac disease. It has slowed her down considerably but she was doing more exercises than me for most of the Christmas holidays. She does stretching exercises two to three times a day, bakes her own bread and reads articles that can help her improve her conditions. She also sees her chiropractor every six weeks because, "...he can still help me."

So if there is somebody out there who says they can't do anything to help themselves, please call my mom, Doug or myself. We can offer you a few ideas.

"My doctors told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother."
Wilma Rudolph

When Wilma Rudolph was four years old, she had a disease called polio which causes people to be crippled and often unable to walk. To make matters worse, her family was poor and could not afford good medical care. She was from a large family - she was the 20th of 22 children! Her father was a railroad porter and her mother was a maid.

Her mother decided she would do everything she could to help Wilma walk again.

The doctors had said that she would not be able to walk... but every week she took her daughter on a long bus trip to a hospital to receive therapy. It didn't help, but the doctors said she should massage Wilma's legs every day. She taught the brothers and sisters how to do it, and they also rubbed their sister's legs four times a day.

By the time she was eight, she could walk with a leg brace. After that, she used a high-topped shoe to support her foot. She played basketball with her brothers every day.

Three years later, her mother came home one day to find Wilma playing basketball by herself -- barefooted. She didn't even have to use the special shoe.

A track coach encouraged her to start running. She ran so well that during her senior year in high school, she qualified for the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. She won a bronze medal in the women's 400 meter relay.

In 1959, she qualified for the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome by setting a world's record in the 200 meter race. At the Olympics that year, she won two gold medals; one for the 100 meter race and one for the 200 meter race.

Then she sprained her ankle, but she ignored the pain and helped her team to win another gold medal for the 400 meter relay! She retired from running when she was 22 years old, but she went on to coach women's track teams and encourage young people.

Wilma thought that God had a greater purpose for her than to win three gold medals. She started the Wilma Rudolph Foundation to help children learn about discipline and hard work.

She died of brain cancer in 1994. Even though she is no longer alive, her influence still lives on in the lives of many young people who look up to her.

The January 12, 2003 issue of the Washington Post featured an article that highlights the difficulties of being a referee in the National Hockey League. The article spotlights the career of one of hockey's more enduring referees, Andy Van Hellemond, who refereed 1,475 games - more than anyone else in league history. Van Hellemond, now serves as the NHL's director of officiating.

During his active career as a referee, he broke his hand; broke three ribs; and separated his sternum after a collision along the boards with Hall of Fame defenseman Larry Robinson. Van Hellemond was twisted awkwardly upon impact and spent five weeks in the hospital with a badly pinched nerve. He recalls the effects of his injury. "I couldn't feel my right leg for the longest time", Van Hellemond said. "They would put pins and needles in my leg up to my hip and I didn't feel a thing. It was completely blocked." Explaining how his career was saved by chiropractic, the article stated, "Eventually, a chiropractic adjustment saved Van Hellemond's career."

Van Hellemond, was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999. He is also at the vanguard of a sweeping evaluation system which sees that every official travels with a laptop computer and receives daily critiques via email and video downloads. He was also the first official to wear a helmet. His innovations and contributions to hockey would have been sorely missed had his career been cut short. Andy Van Hellemond, and chiropractic have made their mark in hockey's history.

Describe your overall condition before starting chiropractic treatment:
"Before starting chiropractic treatments, I had many headaches and backaches..."

What made you choose this office?
"I chose Dr. Larry because his reputation is great..."

Three benefits you've experienced since beginning chiropractic treatment:

"Better, more restful sleep..."
"Better overall feeling..."
"No more headaches or backaches."

What impresses you about the service you receive:
..."The doctor's friendly mannerism and his explanation of trouble spots."

Loraine H. (Patient since 1995)

Are you tired of just "existing" and not fully living?
Do you live with an "attitude of gratitude"?
Have you imposed limitations on yourself?

Qualicum Beach PharmaSave invites you to an evening with Michael Bortolotto "The Positive Rebel".

Michael Bortolotto has cerebral palsy, and is the most unlikely and most inspiring speaker you will ever hear. He is a no-limit person, he is unique. He mesmerizes teachers and school children, receives standing ovations from suit and tie executives, tears of joy from health care workers, and simple thank-you's from every day folk!

Where: Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
When: Thursday, March 10th, at 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $20 per person
$40 per family
$10 per student (with card)

Do you know someone who may be interested in receiving our FREE "Chiropractic Consumer's Report"? Please click on the link below to receive a copy for them as a gift from you. Or come in to the office and ask Nancy for a copy to share.

Chiropractic Consumer's Report

We invite you to sign up for Dr. Larry's newsletter, which is sent out periodically with interesting new health information. When you click below an email will be generated, and then you simply press "send" on your email software.

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