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Helping those who need
help, in the best traditions of
chiropractic. |
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In the days immediately after the earthquake, the secretaries of the AIC called me to be sure I was still alive. I mentioned my desire to organize a group of volunteer chiropractors so that we could contribute to relief efforts, along the lines of what I had witnessed several years earlier in San Diego. They understood immediately and spread the word among our 300 members. I personally called my close friends to participate: my fellow CCCLA graduate, Dr. Eduardo Aguilar, from my city of Pescara, and Drs. Daniel Rigel and Mukesh Bhardway, from Rome. We formed a team ready to serve. What began as a small group of philosophically driven chiropractors that wanted to help in some way, grew to become an official collaboration between the AIC, our national chiropractic association, and the Italian Red Cross (CRI).
Over the past two months, the project has grown in magnitude such that we are now serving an average of over 70 Red Cross volunteers, National Guard members, fire fighters and others each day. In the earthquake zone, we have official permission to be present in four camps – two with CRI in contact with their volunteers, as well as civilians; and two more directly inside the barracks of Italy’s national fire fighters group. We have had the opportunity to treat people coming from all different areas of Italy. This has given us the opportunity to promote chiropractic in the most positive way imaginable, on an unprecedented national scale. Because each government department replaces their forces on a weekly basis, we have been able to directly assist thousands of individuals from all parts of Italy. Our efforts have been very much appreciated and we have been asked to maintain the collaboration well into this fall.
Strong Response by Chiropractors Inspires Others to Help
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Dr. Patricia De Luca with
patient. |
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The response from my colleagues has been overwhelming. Since we first set foot in the camps on Saturday, April 11, 2009, we have had the participation of over 40 different chiropractors from throughout Italy. From Turin, Milan, Rome, and Naples, these colleagues closed their offices for a few days and came down. The AIC was even approached by group of private medical doctors and physical therapists that wanted to join our project!
Little by little, I noticed that my fear-related insomnia was replaced by fatigue from the combination of performing chiropractic adjustments for 10 hours a day and then returning home every night to care for my little dog. I enjoyed one of my most memorable Easter celebrations ever in the company of the military in the camp of the CRI. There, I had the profound honor of meeting some truly amazing people and I have grown to understand the true meaning of solidarity.
This period has been unbelievable for me. Five years ago I could not speak Italian and now, I have shaken hands and given my business cards to some of the most important doctors of the CRI and many commanding officers of the Italy’s fire fighters. At the European Chiropractors’ Union (ECU) Convention held in Alghero on the Italian island of Sardinia from May 21-23, 2009 (www.ecuconvention.eu), we raised financial support through raffle tickets and donations to continue the efforts of this landmark project, now known as the Chiropractic Action Team.
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Drs. Jennifer Lovern (2nd row, left) and Eduardo Aguilar (back row, left) with
medical doctors, nurses and clowns of
infirmary, PMA-CRI camp, San Gregorio.
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Now, with the aid of the ECU (www.chiropractic-ecu.org), we will have the participation of doctors coming from all across Europe to continue our collaboration with the Italian Red Cross. I have seen tremendous unity grow within our chiropractic profession. I believe the generosity of our humanitarian contribution makes a very strong statement that raises us to the next level professionally.
“When you become detached mentally from yourself and concentrate on helping other people with their difficulties, you will be able to cope with your own more effectively. Somehow, the act of self-giving is a personal power-releasing factor.”
—Norman Vincent Peale
Jennifer Lovern, DC, is an American-born chiropractor who practices in Pescara, Italy. She can be reached at drjenniferlovern@aol.com.
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