What doctors are saying
These are brief excerpts from some of the letters sent to the ICA Board of Directors
by doctors around the world.
"If doesn't matter how many policy statements you have, if you don't act on
them. It doesn't matter how many faculty from subluxation-based colleges you have on your
board, if they allow transgressions to occur and remain silent.
"It doesn't matter how many interviews you give or how you talk the talk,
if you are too emotionally crippled to walk the walk. ...
"Leadership decisions can no longer take place in dark cloak rooms, cramped
elevators, or outside the scrutiny of the membership or profession."
-- Veronica Gutierrez, D.C., FICA
++++++++++
"Remember the saying 'absolute power corrupts absolutely?' To me this is
WFC. In an open arena such as the WHO, to try to eliminate other organizations -- or
worse, to discredit other organizations -- makes a dangerous statement and sets a
precedent.
"I am sure the greatest reason for staying is to 'find out information from
the inside.' But, should you support and help those who are trying to destroy what you
have worked so very hard to protect and keep alive? I have difficulty swallowing that
thinking. Will the ICA really make a difference in the WFC with its top down dictation of
power?"
-- Dr. Elizabeth Anderson-Peacock, DICCP, FICA, Canada
++++++++++
"I ask that you keep up the fight and not ally with your enemies. If you do
not fight for principled, subluxation-based Chiropractic, what is your mission? What is
your reason for being? Please do not compromise on the trust that has been left to us by
D.D. and B.J."
-- Mark Dyrholm, D.C.
++++++++++
"I am in the process of forming a new Chiropractic association in Israel,
namely Israel Doctors Of Chiropractic (IDOC), to stand for subluxation-centered
chiropractors in Israel ... The voice of IDOC is meant to emphasize the importance of
chiropractic and health in a global sense, not as a mechanistic intervention for
mechanical problems only. The existing organization in Israel, the Israeli Chiropractic
Society (ICS), is an affiliate of the ACA and strong supporter of the WFC.
"Please have insight and understand that ICA support for WFC is a temporary
support vehicle for giving WFC more credibility. When they feel strong enough to stand 'on
their own' they will continue to affiliate with the ACA because of similar belief systems,
but won't need nor want the ICA support or affiliation any more because of their
differences in principle.
"ICA will accomplish more and develop stronger long-term inter-professional
credibility and support from within the chiropractic profession by standing 'alone' and
'sacrificing' the support it gives to the WFC."
-- Asher Nadler, D.C., Israel
++++++++++
"I am very disturbed by the support the ICA has demonstrated toward the
World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC). The agenda of the WFC is in direct contradiction
to the mission of the ICA and a direct threat to the healthy development of our profession
throughout the world.
"As a practicing chiropractor in Lima, Peru, I am deeply concerned by the
Policy Statement of the WFC. The WFC cannot be allowed to continue its self-appointed role
of watchdog and arbiter for the chiropractic profession world-wide."
-- Yannick Pauli, D.C., Lima, Peru
++++++++++
"I am an ICA member and cannot with any conscience continue to support this
organization as long as it continues to support the WFC."
-- Jeff Falcon, D.C.
++++++++++
"I must say that I am extremely disappointed at the Board's position to
renew its support of the WFC. To lend support to an organization that fundamentally stands
against subluxation-based chiropractic is down right ludicrous. I am strongly opposed to
the continued support of the WFC and its misrepresentation of our profession."
-- Noel Plasker, D.C.
++++++++++
"I cannot comfortably send my money to you because I have been made aware
of your (continued) support of the WFC. ... I have, however, just sent my check for my
second year's membership in the WCA and continue to support the efforts of the CLA
(Chiropractic Leadership Alliance). Please follow their demonstration of leadership and
retract your donations from those who would destroy you.
"It has taken me many years to reach the philosophical point at which I
currently reside. While on campus at CCC of KC I was the Student ACA representative and
felt that individuals like Dr. Barge and the ICA were simply behind the times and needed
to play in the modern world. Please do not abandon me after holding out and waiting so
many years for me to see the light."
-- Brad Pennington, D.C.
++++++++++
"I am a member of the ICA because I aspire to the same principles and ideas
for which it stands. It is for this reason that I have chosen to support the ICA, and not
the ACA, nor any other organization. ...
"However, I am appalled to know that some of my hard earned money, is being
used to support the WFC. As an international member in Europe, the negative effects and
influence of the WFC are all too close to home."
-- Dr. Michelle Nielsen, Barcelona, Spain
++++++++++
"I am concerned about the ICA's ongoing support of the WFC, when it is
clear that their mission is incongruent with that of principled subluxation-based
chiropractic. I am curious why the ICA, who seems to support the detection and correction
of vertebral subluxations, continues to send its members' dues to an organization which
does not support the mission of so many of your members.
"Please make a statement to the profession and to the world and suspend
your financial support of the WFC until they share vision of a profession dedicated to
health, wellness and an improved quality of life through the detection and correct of
vertebral subluxations. Remove what appears to be a subluxation in your organization or
please explain to me why this action benefits your organization or our great
profession."
-- Jeb R. Thurmond, D.C.
++++++++++
"... the ICA should be taking a proactive step towards principled
chiropractic on a global level. What a contradiction of philosophical, moral and ethical
beliefs the ICA has wiggled into!! Instead of going through the back door of a
non-chiropractictic organization such as the WFC, the ICA should be taking the leadership
and authority it has developed to position itself as the world's leader in chiropractic,
or it should support organizations such as the WCA or CLA to push onward and upward to be
the leading authority on chiropractic."
-- Michael D. Berry, D.C.
++++++++++
"While the idea of a cohesive voice for chiropractic around the globe is
excellent, I would prefer that the views of the WFC not be those spoken on my behalf. I
think your time and money would be better spent making the voice of chiropractic
internationally that of the International Chiropractors Association.
"Please reconsider the position of the ICA Board of Directors on the ICA
affiliation with the World Federation of Chiropractic and maintain your affiliation with
the original vision and guiding light of chiropractic."
-- Dr. Steven J. Silk Wiarton, Canada
++++++++++
"I have been an ICA member since chiropractic college and have been very
proud to be a part of the association. I am writing to let you know how concerned I am in
your support of the WFC. It would be a shame to support something that will destroy
subluxation based chiropractic in the long run. I feel that it would be fair to send a
survey to all your active members and at least get our opinion on this subject. Can you at
least do that before we all resign from the association?"
-- Conrad Bui, D.C.
++++++++++
"I joined the ICA because I believe that it is the only association that
supports principled chiropractic. Although I am practicing in Spain, and there is
virtually no benefits for an international ICA member, I continue to pay dues in order to
support principled chiropractic wherever it may be. Your decision to continue financial
support of the WFC violates those very principles that the ICA purports to uphold. I
believe that the WFC currently represents the single greatest threat to principled
chiropractic, and must be stopped at all costs. I fail to understand how you can justify
supporting the demise of our great profession."
-- Tobias Goncharoff, D.C.
Member of the Spanish Chiropractic Association Executive Committee
++++++++++
"Working abroad sometimes gives insight one doesn't have when working in
the US. The 'principles' the WFC represents are in direct contradiction to the principled
mission of the ICA. Supporting the WFC is stunting the growth and development of our
principled profession throughout the world.
"Making its voice heard outside of the U.S. needs to become the ICA's
primary concern. As a once member of the ICA, I am ready to return if and when I feel the
International Chiropractic Organization has truly become International, without using the
WFC as its surely temporary vehicle to accomplish its international mission."
-- Karel Deprez, D.C., Palma, Spain
++++++++++
"The fact that the WFC has been able to put together a mailing list of
chiropractors and organizations throughout the world (many with very few individuals) does
not make them a world power. That Mr. Peterson devotes a great deal of editorial space to
WFC "activities" is a testament to the influence the WFC has on him and his
paper not on the influence of chiropractic around the world.
"I am curious to know what policies and activities of the WFC have been
influenced by the ICA? The ICA does not need to pay the WFC money in order to be its
conscience."
-- Matthew McCoy, D.C.
++++++++++
"I have been an ICA member since I was a student at Life University. I have
always been extremely proud of that fact. Until recently I felt that the ICA was leading
the profession in the direction in which it needed to go in order to remain principled and
subluxation based. I attended the debate at the CPU seminar held in New Jersey this
February and was finally able to hear Mr. David Chapman-Smith. I heard enough to know that
in NO way did I wish for him to be my voice in any organization.
"I feel it is IMPERATIVE that you, as trusted members of the Board, rethink
the reversal of your decision to sever relations with the WFC... If the decision is one
that is not based upon principled, subluxation based ChiropracTIC, then I can no longer be
a part of your organization. My money and my energy will go towards another organization
that is going to uphold and protect the principles of this great profession that I love so
dearly."
-- Jon Alan Smith, D.C., CSFC
++++++++++
"It is my understanding that the ICA has always been subluxation-centered
in its philosophy. It is also my understanding that the WFC has many philosophical
differences. In fact, these core differences may undermine the efforts of the ICA. It
seems to me that the ICA's decision to support the efforts of the WFC is not only foolish,
but also potentially damaging to the ICA member doctors.
"I have much admiration for many of the present leaders of the ICA, and
deep respect for many past leaders. I am very concerned regarding the decision to support
the WFC, a group that obviously is not oriented in promoting subluxation-centered, cradle
to grave chiropractic. The ICA's support of the WFC is, of course, using the dues of the
chiropractors that are in support of subluxation-centered chiropractic."
-- Jeff Snyder, D.C.
++++++++++
"I am writing to you from my heart as a member of the ICA, and as a
concerned chiropractor who is out in the trenches trying to get the word of
subluxation-based chiropractic to the people of my community. It disturbs me that the ICA
is supporting the WFC. Nothing about the WFC is congruent with what I was taught at Life
University about chiropractic and the message our forefathers would have wanted us to
carry on. Some of you were the very people who helped me find my passion for chiropractic.
Are you telling me what you taught me was wrong? Is it really about back pain? I don't
think so. I support the ICA because of the principle it stands for.
"In my eyes the WFC is a joke and an embarrassment to our profession. I
will not be a part of any organization that supports it."
-- Karen S. Orr, D.C.
++++++++++
"Because I have given my hard-earned money to the ICA, I expect it to be
spent in correlation to my value system. The WFC does not fit within my value system. In
fact, it and the people involved within go directly against what I stand for as a Doctor
of Chiropractic... Why does the ICA continue to support that which all of their members
should not support?
"I look forward to practicing the science, art and philosophy of
chiropractic every day in a principled manner. The question is, why do you not seem to
support the same type of values?"
-- Chad J. Rohlfsen, D.C.
++++++++++
"Remember, the more we accept what they (the WFC) says because of fear, the
more control they will have. My concern with the WFC is that it will try to limit the
entire profession to a limited scope musculoskeletal pain practice.
"Please reverse your position in order to help our profession. Let us all
take the ICA to this level of leadership. The "I" stands for International! I
would be happy to help the ICA attain this position so that the world will know
chiropractic is more then just back and neck pain relief."
-- Jay Rothstein, D.C.
++++++++++
"I am writing this letter to express my incredible dissatisfaction with
your 'decision' to reverse your support for the WFC. The WFC does not, and will not
represent my CHIROPRACTIC viewpoint. I am a second generation D.C., following in my
grandfather's footsteps. He graduated from Palmer in 1939, and was never really concerned
with just 'backaches, cricks and strains.' ... We need people to protect our right to
practice Subluxation-based Health-care and help as many people as possible around the
globe, their lives may depend on it!"
-- J. Michael Aitken D.C.
++++++++++
"I cannot understand the ICA's reason for supporting WFC, an organization
that does not support subluxation, wellness or pediatric chiropractic. I cannot support an
international organization that supports its own destruction and the destruction of
chiropractic. For this reason I have not renewed my ICA membership. I strongly urge you to
send a strong congruent message and rethink your position."
-- Robert S. Skleryk, D.C.
++++++++++
"I just sent in my dues, however if you continue to support the WFC I see
no alternative but to discontinue when it is time to re-new my dues again. I want to stay
being an ICA member, so please reconsider your stand and the views of the ICA
members."
-- Steve Sherwin, D.C.
++++++++++
"Congratulations to those brave souls on the Board who voted to stop
funding the WFC. It takes courage to stand up against the political status quo on a board.
... I've been around long enough to know that when an organization actually pays someone
to help annihilate what it stands for, this is a sign that we are swimming in a political
sewer and have too much sludge in our lungs. ... Please don't ... tell me that we must
continue funding the WFC so that we know what they are up to. You don't have to pay them
anymore for secret intelligence because their agenda is no secret."
"This is 2000 and the barbarians are at the gate. We can draw the line here
and hold our heads high, god would it feel good. There are so many principled
chiropractors out there who are not members watching this play out. Now is your chance,
now back up with your actions what you actually state in your policy handbook."
-- Jack M. Masche, D.C.
++++++++++
"I am an ICA member and a Legislative District Director for the ICA in
California. I am writing this letter in protest to the ICA's continued support of the WFC.
As a practicing chiropractor in the trenches and a grass roots activist for the ICA it is
extremely important for me to feel congruent with the organizations I support. ... The ICA
has never been more strategically placed to be the leader of our profession -- the world
is embracing our valued principles and momentum is rolling toward critical mass! We need
to stand strong behind the principles of vitality through subluxation based health care
for every man, woman and child in the world. There is no room for contradictions in our
goal. We do not need to weaken our message with political wavering or individual gain. I
trust that the board will listen to its members and do what is right for chiropractic and
retract its support of the WFC."
-- Patrick Rardin, D.C., California
ICA Legislative District Director
++++++++++
"This letter is to express my displeasure with the ICA's continued support
of the WFC. From my viewpoint, the WFC is not a chiropractic organization but a possible
harbinger of the destruction of principled chiropractic.
"The WFC does not support the vitalistic notion of chiropractic nor its
original intent. They cling to our good name in order to gain political and financial
gain. ... I was considering becoming an international member of the ICA and perhaps even
starting an alternate association (with ICA ties). Seeing that the ICA supports the WFC, I
no longer see this as a viable or honorable alternative, despite the many worthy and noble
things that the ICA does and is a part of.
"I truly hope that you rethink your decision to support the WFC, and that
you wholeheartedly reject the aspects of the WFC that do not elevate, defend, and
represent chiropractic."
-- Dr. Marshal W. Montgomery, Canada
++++++++++
"Dear ICA Board, I have never felt so strongly on an issue as this WFC
participation issue. Although I am not an ICA member, I am compelled to voice my opinion.
I am a past board member of the New York State Chiropractic Association and served as the
Legislative Liaison for Western New York. ...When we are strong and on purpose we have
strengthened our state laws and expanded our accessibility to our patients. When we are
off purpose we have created laws that have diminished our ability. ... It is time to call
a spade a spade and get out of the dirty political sickness care business. Can't you see
that this is going nowhere and if any of you are hanging in with it for ego, political or
financial gain, shame on you. Get out of the WFC and get into chiropractic."
-- John E. Weisberg, D.C.
++++++++++
"It is irrelevant whether the ICA does or 'does NOT support all' or any 'of
the actions, policies, or activities of the WFC.' What is relevant is that by contributing
the funds (energy) of the ICA you are doing grave damage to the board itself, the ICA, the
individual members, the profession and those they serve.
"The grave damage is that the ICA is subjecting itself to a cowering,
subservient role in the hope that might 'have input into their policies, positions and
activities.'
"You can't 'act as the conscience of the WFC,' it does NOT have one. Does
anyone on the ICA board really think that the WFC has any concern for the profession or
who they serve? Or are they only in the game for the personal gratification of power?
Helping someone achieve personal gratification is also a position NOT worthy of the ICA,
its board, its members and those they serve."
-- John P. Rempel, D.C.
Member of the board of the ICA of Indiana
Return
to index
