March 2008

All one people

by Dr. Kevin Pallis and Dr. Ed Plentz

There is an expression in Sioux, "O yate unkiyepi wanzi," which translates to "We are all one people." For those unfamiliar with the concept, it means, regardless of skin color, heritage, politics or religion, we are all equal, free, and have the same right to be healthy regardless of who we are or where we live. We are all connected in spite of those who don't believe this or don't care to believe it. As chiropractors we are still limited by the faulty belief that we are last resort doctors for adult musculoskeletal conditions in the low back and neck areas. This is your invitation to leave the accepted belief of the masses, and become a leader of "we are all one people."

Are you content supporting a belief that discriminates against children? Do you believe that the majority of those in our profession should care only for adults? Are you comfortable that your services can only be utilized if a third party (insurance) says its okay? Are you alright with the fact that we are the only profession that discriminates based on age and symptoms? Chiropractic is for everybody if you believe we are all one people. Will you keep the concept of chiropractic to yourself, in an effort to be accepted by the majority? Or will you become the leader of your community, the chiropractor you always wanted to be?

Being healthy is an indisputable right of all human beings. Your political beliefs, religion, or where you live do not matter. Health is a natural state. Disease is an un‑natural and an anti‑state. No matter how many people or professions believe in disease as a way of life, it's still an anti‑state and the answer is health... every time.

If you have darkness, the answer is always light. Our society will continue its addiction to sickness, limitation and lack until leaders appear who will take initiative to bring forth a new concept called health for all. Leaders who bring forth this concept will endure much skepticism, negativity and a lack of acceptance from the majority. Yet, chiropractic will increase exponentially when the concept of "we are all one people" burns in all of our hearts.

A large piece missing from DCs who want to be more successful is purpose. We have a world project called "Love Has No Color." It keeps DCs connected to the concept of "we are all one people," never to lose our compassion for others. We (our Mentor IV Coaching Program) are sending a Native American from a reservation to Life University to earn her chiropractic degree. Dr. Guy Riekeman, a visionary who believes in the power of "we are all one people," allotted Brandi Charette a presidential scholarship for her undergraduate and chiropractic studies. All of her living expenses, spending money, rent, books, etc. are provided by our Love Has No Color foundation.

We also have "Christmas on the Reservation" (featured a few months ago in The Chiropractic Journal) which delivered more than 12,000 brand new coats, boots, art supplies, sweaters, scarves, sneakers, and even four wide screen TVs for the Boys and Girls Club and Movie Theatre, which we are renovating so the kids have a place to hang out after school.

Upon her graduation, we (our coaching group) will be building a for‑profit clinic and cultural center on the Reservation for Dr. Charette. By bringing chiropractic to people who are at risk, the un‑natural conditions of poverty, crime, and a lack of health will be replaced by natural conditions of hope, dignity, gratitude and health. We have a saying in our program: "Healthier people create a healthier planet." It's not just a cute slogan. It's our dedication to "we are all one people."

Deep down inside people are frustrated with their family's health and just don't know where to turn. You mean there are actually people out there who won't let me down? How would you feel if your children were not reaching their full health potential, and a doctor said, "You must learn how to live with it," or "That's just the way it is"? Better yet, "It's not my responsibility; I don't take care of kids"?

You have a choice to either give up what you know to be true and let a part of you die inside, or get moving in your community singing the song of "we are all one people."

The song sounds like weekly orientations, which people attend from near and far. It sounds like procedures that educate people to the "we are all one people" theme. The song sounds like having boundaries for your practice members. Decreased recommendations and mediocrity have no place in an office believing that we are all one people.

(The New Renaissance is a movement of passionate chiropractors dedicated to changing the world. The leader in patient education since 1977, the Mentor IV Coaching Program is a step‑by‑step navigational guide that embodies the very essence of The New Renaissance vision of healthier people creating a healthier world. Without patient education, your patients won't "get it." To learn more about The New Renaissance, contact world headquarters at 800‑525‑3879.)