May 2003

Why I support the World Chiropractic Alliance

by Dr. Matthew McCoy

I was only in practice for about a month when I encountered my first battle with prejudice and discrimination against chiropractic. While I was green concerning tactics and strategy for the ensuing fight, I was not without determination and I was smart enough to know I could not do it alone.

I called and wrote letters to the Presidents of the World Chiropractic Alliance and the other two national associations as well as both state associations asking for help and guidance.

To my surprise only one association responded ‑ the WCA. Not only did I get a letter from the President, Dr. Terry A. Rondberg, offering advice and support but he picked up the phone and called me. That was more than 12 years ago and it is that kind of support, dedication and service that I have experienced from the WCA every year, every week and every day since.

My frustration with the abuse those in our profession who practice subluxation‑centered chiropractic face has led me to become more involved politically over the years. I've always known I needed to be politically active as a chiropractor if things were ever going to get better but it seemed complicated and intimidating. Nothing has helped me overcome these misconceptions more than attending the WCA's International Summit in Washington D.C.

While it has always been imperative to meet with the people who make the decisions about where money goes and who is or is not allowed to do what we do, right now this contact and communication is extremely important to subluxation‑centered chiropractic and to the goals and objectives of the WCA.

The WCA has scored more major victories in recent history with its core of committed chiropractors than any other organization I know of. Just look at a short list of the WCA's involvement and relationships:

***  The United Nations

***  The World Health Organization

***  The Department of Veteran's Affairs ***  The National Institutes of Health

***  The White House Commission on CAM

***  The CCP Guidelines

***  The Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research

***  Major lobbying firms and a Washington, D.C. office

I think the story of Gideon and the Midionites serves as a powerful example of the power of commitment and I believe the WCA and those who have chosen to participate in the work of the WCA exemplify what can be accomplished with a relatively few committed people.

Gideon and his army of 32,000 men were getting ready to face the Midian army of 250,000, so Gideon went to God and asked his advice. To Gideon's surprise God told him he had too many men B "The odds aren't great enough yet." Thinking God had lost his mind, Gideon asked him what he meant and God told him to rally his troops together and explain to them the reality of the obstacles before them, that the battle would be difficult, many would perish and that if you did not feel you could handle such adversity now was the time to step off.

So Gideon says "OK, that's clever" and goes and rallies the troops and gives them his last ringing speech and tells them of the perils they are about to face and that this is their chance to bow out if they don't think they can handle the task. To his shock, Gideon's army went from 32,000 to 10,000 men. If you've got 32,000 and 22,000 think you're going to lose B you've got too many.

Gideon went back to God and relayed what happened and God said, "Good but you've still got too many." Surprised Gideon says "so what now?" God answers, "now take your men on a long march for several days, deny them water and food and when they are hot and thirsty lead them to the river. Watch your men as they approach the river and note those who throw down their spears, shields and weapons and rush carelessly into the river ignoring their surroundings. Dismiss those men and keep only those who keep their spears and shields and advance quietly into the river and lap the water like a dog while keeping a look out and remaining alert."

So Gideon says, "OK, very clever" and marches his men until they're hot and thirsty and takes them down to the river and sure enough some get careless, drop their spears and shields and jump into the water. The number was 9,700. Gideon sent the 9,700 home. Left with 300 men it was the most courageous, strange and unusual battle plan ever designed but Gideon and his 300 men succeeded in chasing off the Midionites and Gideon became the military, Jewish hero of the day.

As members of the World Chiropractic Alliance we are a small number in the relative scheme of things, yet look at what has been accomplished with what we have. Anyone who attended the IBG Board Meeting at last year's Summit knows how organized and effective we are. That meeting was a case study of effective cooperation and accomplishment. And we took that momentum from the meeting and accomplished great things during the year.

But the WCA is not resting on its laurels B it continues to press forward and accomplish great things for all chiropractors. Don't you want to join us and be a member of an organization with such great spirit, energy and dedication?