Newsletter: March 2007

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Dr. Larry and the NHL & Ron Ellis' Story

This month's issue of our newsletter features one of many inspirational stories that have contributed to Dr. Larry's decision to write a book about recovery. You will be hearing more about his book, which is expected to be on the book shelves in June.

The following are excerpts from Ron Ellis' book 'Over the Boards'.

"Thirty-five years ago, in 1967, I had a dream come true. Just like most Canadian boys, I had dreamed of playing in the NHL. I also dreamed of winning a Stanley Cup, and the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Cup beating the Montreal Canadiens. It's the last Cup the Leafs have won.

The hockey gods smiled on me again in 1972 by allowing me to be picked for Team Canada. It was the first time Canadian professionals would get a chance to play the Russians. Most of you likely know the story, but in game eight, with just 34 seconds remaining, Paul Henderson's goal determined the winner and Canada won....

... In 1986, I opened a sporting goods store. Everything my wife and I owned was on the line. I was under unbelievable financial stress and was struggling to adapt to a new life after hockey. My daughter was battling an eating disorder and my mother was dying of cancer. It was a horrendous time. I found I couldn't concentrate. Simple duties became overwhelming. I became a file shuffler and was afraid to answer the phone. I withdrew from my friends and from most of my family. At my worst, while at work, I'd leave my office and sit in my car in the parking garage for hours. Just sit in my car!

I knew I was in big trouble, but other thoughts nagged me. 'Real men don't get depressed. Just give it time - it'll go away.' I had always been strong and very goal-oriented. I'd been a perfectionist. I was afraid that if I admitted I had a problem, people would think I was weak. I said to myself, 'Ron, snap out of it. Pull up your socks,' but at that point, I couldn't find my socks and didn't much care. In time, I refused to leave the house and preferred just sitting in a dark room.

Pride and ignorance held me back. Pride, particularly for men, is a huge obstacle. It kept me from moving forward. I wasn't being a husband to Jan or a father to my kids. My wife couldn't hold the family together by herself.

Then, it was almost as if God said, "Ellis, if you're not going to get help, I'm going to shut you down." And he did. It was almost like a computer that crashes, but I couldn't reboot Ron Ellis....

In October 1987, Ron finally agreed to hospital treatment.

I checked into the Homewood Health Centre in Guelph... Admitting that I needed to be hospitalized was unbearable. It was hard enough just to admit that I was struggling with depression, but to think that I needed to be hospitalized was tough - real tough. I had my fears about where I was going. No one had really told me what goes on in these places. I feared the worst. But without question, it was the best move I've made in my life. The hospital environment provides protection form the sources of stress. In a short period of time, you begin to calm down and have a chance to allow the medications to work...

My first stay in the hospital was helpful, but I didn't give it my all. I was looking for that quick fix so I could return to work as quickly as possible... The second time, I went back to the hospital with a whole new mindset. I didn't expect the quick fix. I realized I needed to do everything I could to learn about this disease to understand and accept what I have to do to be productive and to get back to a normal, balanced life. I learned that I had to get a handle on the coping skills that I needed to combat depression."

You can read more about Ron's story in his book, "Over The Boards"; and do watch for Dr. Larry's book announcement.

Dr. Larry Smith is pictured above with former NHL players Jimmy Mann (left) and Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuck (right).

Dr. Larry hit the ice on the same team as the NHL Oldtimer's when they played the Nanaimo All Stars on February 1, 2007 at the Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo. This was the 4th time Dr. Larry has participated as a community sponsor in the Oldtimer's Hockey Challenge which gives fans and players alike the opportunity to celebrate a common joy for the game while raising funds for much needed and worthy organizations. Members of the NHL Oldtimer's, a team of about eight players, travel to communities across Canada where they pick up four or five local players before a game.

At a pre-game ceremony, former Stanley Cup winner Bryan Trottier presented Nanaimo All Star captain Norm Smith with a cheque to the Brent McDougall Foundation. "It was a big thrill to be on the ice together with Dale, Jimmy and Brian Trottier," said Dr. Larry. "Dale set me up in front of the net and I nearly scored."

In a short note to the Canadian Chiropractor magazine where this item was also published, Dr. Larry said, "Yes, I managed once again to be on the ice with the Big Boys. What a blast the game was! Dale Hawerchuck is so skilled and so fast. I remember the days when Jimmy Mann and Dale both played for our beloved, but now defunct Winnipeg Jets. I want to be a pro hockey player when I grow up." (Maybe so, Larry, but most of us here in Parksville think you've already found your niche! Keep on cracking!)

OFFICE OFFERINGS:

Free!!! Two-Week Free Trial certificates for the Fitness Connection in our office. (No more excuses!)

FREE!!!! At our office -- Pocket or pouch-sized pamphlets on simple pre-golf stretches.

* FREE!!! Come in or call the office to get: "The Chiropractic Consumer's Report" a booklet that tells us what we need to know before and about choosing a Doctor of Chiropractic.

* FREE!!! The Fitness Prescription DVD: The DVD that Dr. Larry has produced is available at the office. Come in and get your copy of "The Fitness Prescription" or you may download it from our website home page

+ ONLY AT OUR OFFICE - Dr. Larry is certified in the Graston Technique and for the past two years has been having remarkable success in treating soft tissue injuries that have not responded to other therapies. Do you or someone you know suffer from soft-tissue injury? Tendonitis, carpal-tunnel, bursitis, plantar fasciitis? Many, many of our patients have had amazing results with the Graston Technique® designed especially for soft-tissue damage and used by many sports teams including the Olympics. Check out the information about GT on our website by clicking here. Call today for a consultation.

* LENDING LIBRARY - You are welcome to take out on loan from our library the sports medicine book that Dr. Larry co-authored "Inside The Minds: The Art and Science of Sports Medicine". We also have a variety of other books, cd's, and DVD's available for loan.

OFFICE REQUESTS:

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