By now, Dr. Clair O'Dell's home in Southgate, Michigan must look like
the warehouse for "Trophies R' Us." During his 53 years in the
chiropractic profession, he's probably received more awards, plaques,
honors, tributes and certificates than anyone other than B.J. himself.
Already a recipient of the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA)
"Humanitarian Award" in 2000, the "Fellowship Award"
from the International Chiropractors Association in 1953, and dozens of
other accolades from colleges, national and state organizations, Dr.
O'Dell was presented with a special "Lifetime of Service Award"
by Parker Seminars during its 50th Anniversary event.
O'Dell didn't earn the tribute merely for his longevity, but for the
level of service he has given to his profession and his patients.
People throughout Michigan know of his dedication and a special tribute
was signed by two prominent state legislators, citing him for having
"professionally and compassionately ministered to the aches, pains,
and illnesses of Downriver residents, earning a wide-spread reputation for
his skill and personable manner."
O'Dell chose chiropractic as his vocation after witnessing its
incredible affect on his father.
"He had received treatment by some half dozen doctors,
specialists, hospitals, etc. for over two years, but it had been decided
that he could not be helped," O'Dell explained in his now-famous
article "My Miracle of 1934: How and Why I Became a
Chiropractor."
O'Dell was 16 years old when a friend of the family recommended that he
take his father to a chiropractor – the first time he'd ever heard the
word. "I wasted no time getting the appointment," he recalled.
After four days of adjustments, the effect was nothing short of
miraculous.
Coming home from school the following Monday, he saw a man walking by
the family barn and wondered who it was. "On looking more closely, I
was sure it was my father. Sure enough, it was him out walking around
doing light chores. Unbelievable – it couldn't be, but it was. My Dad
was up and around and getting well... My father got well. He lived another
happy, productive 22 years."
His father's recovery sealed O'Dell's choice of career.
"What to do with my life had been demonstrated and determined for
me," he wrote. "Be a chiropractor and get sick people
well."
O'Dell graduated Palmer in 1936, where he met his wife Martha. They had
four children – all of whom are part of the chiropractic profession
(two, as D.C.s, two as chiropractic assistants).
The effect of the "miracle" didn't stop with the O'Dells,
however. The often-repeated tale of Clair O'Dell's introduction to
chiropractic has influenced dozens of others to follow his professional
footsteps and become D.C.s.
"According to my nephew, Dr. Randy O'Dell of Walled Lake,
Michigan, some 38 D.C.s at Life D.E. Seminar said this miracle article had
much to do with their decision to become a chiropractor," O'Dell
confided to The Chiropractic Journal recently.
After more than a half century of service to his profession and his
patients, no one would fault him for hanging a "Gone Fishin'"
sign on his door and retiring. But that's the last thing on O'Dell's mind.
"I don't even like the word retirement," he once told a
reporter for The Mellus/News-Herald. "I'm going to pass it
(the theories of chiropractic care) along as long as I can. I enjoy what I
do. I don't even consider it work."
His determination to stay active in chiropractic is a boon to the
profession, which still relies on him for leadership and advice.
In 2000, the WCA asked him to join its newly constituted Board of
Directors and has often turned to the elder statesman for guidance.
"Not only is he a true link with B.J., but he continues to work to
keep B.J.'s spirit alive in everything he does. He's an incredible role
model and a true inspiration," stated WCA President Dr. Terry A.
Rondberg upon announcing O'Dell's appointment. "Dr. O'Dell won't
tolerate any compromising of principles for expediency. If he thinks we're
doing something that isn't in the best interests of subluxation-based
chiropractic, he'll be the first to tell us."
The legacy of Clair O'Dell is clearly one of honesty, integrity and
dedication to the profession that saved his father's life, and allowed him
to save so many other lives during his own "Lifetime of
Service." Never was an award more fittingly named.
