Allow me to introduce myself: I am Mary Falardeau, a student intern at Dr. Rubin's office. This
past month, I was fortunate enough to travel for 10 days to Haiti and the
Dominican Republic with 65 chiropractors, chiropractic students, assistants,
patients, and family members. This group represented Mission Life
International, run by Drs. Peter Morgan and Gary Deutchman from New York. Their
organization aims to bring chiropractic to people of less fortunate regions,
and to enrich the lives of children in these areas. Mission Life International
runs an orphanage for approximately 24 young children, some of which became
parent-less after Haiti’s devastating earthquake in 2010. The orphanage is
unique in that it provides children with chiropractic and a vitalistic
education, teaching English and Spanish.
During
the first half of my trip, the days in Haiti were spent traveling to various
areas of the city of Ouanaminthe, setting up chiropractic tables and offering
chiropractic care to all those who wanted it. This was an incredible
experience, because as soon as the portable adjusting tables were opened and
set-up, people flocked to the scene for care. There was an understanding that we
were there to help. People recognized that chiropractic is safe, gentle, and a
natural method of healing. Despite the language barrier, there was so much
love, warmth, and appreciation among the people. Mothers brought their children
and confidently aided them onto the table or put their babies in the doctor’s
arms. They innately knew the power of the adjustment, and what amazing life
changes could result.
One
location that we visited was termed the “Mud Village.” It was there that
hundreds of people lived in small huts made of sticks, dirt floors, and tin
roofs. The road throughout the village was all dirt, causing a dust to cover
everything when the wind blew. There were piles of garbage throughout the walk
to the town center, with animals and children eating whatever they could. The
people had no shoes, some of the children wore clothes, and some had none. They
didn’t have much, but when they saw us trekking through their neighborhood with
chiropractic tables in hand, the children had big smiles on their faces and
began to dance and jump for joy.
The
children were my favorite part of the trip. Some of them were so eager to hop
onto the table that they fought to claim their spot among the crowd by placing
their face in the face hole first. The children were so happy to receive love
and a warm touch, and for being active, young children, they easily remained
calm and still for the adjustment. They were so open to receive what we were
there to provide, and to watch their smiles grow after each interaction just
made my heart melt. When their turn was over, it was amazing to watch them
immediately encourage their friends or siblings to lie on the table. They would
also mimic the adjustments on one another, by placing their hands on each
other’s backs and gently down their spines, which each party was happy to
oblige.
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