April 2004

You're never too young to learn about chiropractic!

For Life students Anthony Hardnett, Jeff Bailey, and Wayne Gordon, you're never too young to learn about chiropractic. That's why they chose to give a chiropractic presentation to two pre‑kindergarten classes.

When one of the teachers of the pre‑K class at a local elementary school asked Hardnett if he'd be interested in giving a talk about chiropractic and the body, he jumped at the chance. He recruited classmates Bailey and Gordon and the three spent time teaching ‑‑ and entertaining ‑‑ about 40 children in two different classes and their three teachers.

PHOTO GALLERY! -- Click on images for enlarged views!

"The kids were very interested and asked a lot of questions," said Hardnett. "I explained chiropractic and made analogies like turning the light switch on by relieving subluxations. I showed them how an adjustment is preformed by using the full skeleton we had on a portable table."

An Atlanta chiropractic office, Spa Qi ‑‑ where Hardnett's girlfriend works ‑‑ loaned the three Life students simplified autonomic nervous system handouts showing the link between the spine/nerves/ and various organs. They also provided chiropractic coloring books showing a child getting adjusted, which proved to be popular with the kids.

But nothing got their attention like the full‑size spine models! Fascinated, the children ran their hands down the "skeleton bones."

Each presentation lasted about 35 minutes and included information about eating right and the value of exercise.

The presentation got off to a rocky start when Hardnett asked the class if anyone knew what a chiropractor was. A few children raised their hands and he called on one of them, who yelled out, "I'm a chiropractor!"

Taken aback, Hardnett replied, "Oh, really?" and the class began to laugh. Thankfully, the teacher asked them to not be so silly and things quieted down.

But once the three Life students got started, the kids were entranced. "Afterwards they didn't want us to leave," Hardnett recalled. "One girl came up to me and said 'you were amazing!'"

The kids weren't the only ones impressed. The teachers asked a number of questions, including the cost of an adjustment and where could they go to get one.

"The whole thing went much better than I thought," Hardnett noted. "I really believe that the kids learned a lot and they all could tell you who chiropractors are and what they do!"

The experience was positive for the Life students as well. "There have been many worrisome articles about Life's financial problems and issues," said Hardnett. "But the morale on the campus and students are still very positive."

"We're so proud of all three of these students," said Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., president of the WCA. "They obviously have the enthusiasm and love that will make them great doctors. And I wouldn't doubt that at least one of the kids will grow up to follow in their footsteps!"