March 2007

Popular Australian chiropractic supporter dies

Wife of  WCA-Australia president held strong to principles 

The Australian chiropractic community was dealt a heavy blow last month when Susanne Snodgrass died from metastatic liver disease. She was the childhood sweetheart-turned-wife of Peter Snodgrass, DC, president of the World Chiropractic Alliance-Australia and a well-known chiropractic leader and researcher.

Susanne's own chiropractic story was well known in Australia, where her presence at chiropractic events was as certain as it was welcomed. As a teenager, she suffered what Dr. Snodgrass described in an email to colleagues as "poor health, with cystitis, headaches, back pain, knee problems and a plethora of unexplained annoying symptoms. Painkillers, antibiotics and other drugs were considered normal and necessary."

After Peter Snodgrass completed his education and became a chiropractor, Susanne "immersed herself in a vision of being healthy naturally and being drug free," he explained. "From the beginning until just recently, we had no drugs ever in our house and Susanne stayed committed to her vision of health from the inside out."

Chiropractic adjustments helped Susanne overcome many of her long-standing health problems and she became an enthusiastic supporter of the profession and enjoyed experiences adjustments from many of Dr. Snodgrass' colleagues.

Although her first pregnancy was a difficult one (she suffered severe pre-eclampsia which led to a four-week premature baby, Ella, weighing just 2.01 kg [4.4 lbs] at birth) she rejected the medical advice given to her for her second pregnancy.

Refusing to be subjected to the full array of drugs and an induced labor despite another bout with pre-eclampsia, she chose to rely on chiropractic. We increased the TBM and gradually the pre-eclampsia and swelling dropped," Dr. Snodgrass recalls. "Susanne's blood pressure normalised and Susanne decided on a home birth against all medical advice. Our beautiful boy was born safely at home with no complications."

Susanne was equally committed to chiropractic for her children.

"Maybe Susanne's greatest demonstration of her chiropractic intensity came when our baby boy had an inner ear infection and was running such a high temperature that he was scarlet in colour," said Dr. Snodgrass. "I had just arrived home from work and Susanne gave me the 30-second rundown in 15 seconds. It went something like this: 'Casey has gotten worse during the day, he won't take fluids, he is severely dehydrated and he just lost consciousness. You need to adjust his Atlas and get fluid in to him right now or we are going to the hospital and you know we are not going to the hospital.'

"Casey's Atlas was as hot as a poker and swollen under the occiput. It was a huge adjustment and probably would have woken the dead. Casey's eyes popped open (he screamed of course) and was able to take fluid again. For those parents reading this you would know it takes real faith to stay principled during a crisis with your kids."

In September 2006, Susanne traveled with her husband to the New Zealand College of Chiropractic, where he made a presentation. It was during that trip that Susanne began exhibiting severe symptoms such as fatigue and loss of appetite. Upon their return to Australia, she underwent blood tests that revealed metastatic liver disease occupying over 50% of her liver and which had spread to the spine and pelvis.

Despite the critical nature of the disease, Susanne remained firm in her dedication to chiropractic principles.

"Her shock and tears soon turned to shear determination to beat this disease naturally," Dr. Snodgrass explained. "Some would argue that given that the oncologist gave her no hope with chemotherapy or any other approach, her decision wasn't that brave. I disagree. It takes courage to steer your own destiny and not forfeit those powers to outside experts in the hope that somehow they know better than you."

Although she was told that chemotherapy would extend her life by six-to-twelve months, Susanne rejected it.

"Given the process of chemotherapy," Dr. Snodgrass stated, "Susanne made her predictable response of 'unless it's quality, it's not worth having.' That was Susanne's philosophy. Maybe that statement should be called the 'Tao of Susanne.'"

As the disease progressed, Dr. Snodgrass sent an e-mail to his friends and colleagues, explaining how he and his wife were coping with the situation.

"In facing the impossible battle of beating an aggressive cancer that is already advanced, we focused on many, many, many things, but the most important being restoring 'the arc of life' and building power back into the body," he told them.

"Some of you know that Susanne did a 35-day fast of water, herb teas and nothing else. It was the most impressive display of pure mental grit I've ever witnessed. At the end of the fast, her skin was beautiful, her eyes crystal clear and strength excellent. We thought we had it beat into submission. New blood tests showed that the cancer had stopped growing. The specialist couldn't believe the tests and gave us full support.

"Unfortunately, over Christmas, Susanne started a measurable decline that gained momentum. Within a few weeks she was in hospital draining severe ascites and needing medication for the now unbearable bone pain and oedema that made breathing so hard. Although Susanne has lost her battle with cancer, she has won the battle of defining who she is and on what terms she will or won't live her life.

"Some people's flame of life just seems to burn brighter than others. Having less time just makes you realise how strong and pure that light is. Susanne's flame will fill my days always and she will always be with me. Every adjustment I make, she is in my heart and hands. In our last conversations that Susanne could converse properly she held me close and said these words: 'Every family needs purpose. Every community needs a direction. You and chiropractic have always been my True North. Whatever happens to me, never stop your mission and know I'm always there with you and will see it through with you."

Susanne died on Feb. 4, 2007 and left behind a legacy of love and dedication that will have an impact on the chiropractic community in Australia and the world for generations to come.