When Dr. Dave Campbell, who practices in Gilbert, Arizona, found out about the Journey to Solidarity, his first thought to me was ‘Jay you have to find this girl, Jennifer.’ Dave and I were friends at Palmer College and Dave was one of the student leaders chosen to attend one of the trips to Madagascar in 2007. It is stories like his below, between two people that don’t speak the same language that inspired the creation of Journey to Solidarity and really emphasizes the need for continued Chiropractic care across the world. Imagine the life changes that this girl could have had she received care beyond 3 days and the research that can be published for cases similar to hers. Dave’s account from Madagascar is as follows:
Schoolchildren in Madagascar (Photo: Kate Youngs)
Jennifer was brought in to see me in Diego on the first day we were there. She was 2 1/2 years old and her mom was told by the local doctors to take her home to die. There was nothing more they could do. Jennifer had an extremely traumatic birth insomuch that the sutures in her skull had prematurely closed inducing Cerebral Palsy. Jennifer had not slept more than two hours at a time since birth. Her mom handed her to me and asked me to help her. Of course I was completely humbled and responded that I would do my best to look for nerve interference.
Immediately during the exam I noticed that the skull was putting constant pressure on her spinal cord due to the fact it was locked in an anterior position. We received permission to treat her every day we were in clinic instead of the one time that was customary (lines at clinic abroad locations can run over a thousand people deep and waits can extend beyond the light of day). Jennifer’s condition showed huge improvement from the very beginning. She took a nap and slept through the night after the first adjustment. By the end of the week Jennifer had regained minor muscle control, began tracking with her eyes, supported her weight, grasped her mom’s finger for the first time, and played (interacted) with her parents for an hour.
Lines at 2008 Clinic Abroad Trip (Photo: Kate Youngs)
The saddest moment was saying goodbye because I knew Jennifer wouldn’t be able to receive care for a long time, and she needed it. Her mom thanked me and said something that I will never forget. ”Thank you for giving me HOPE!” That’s what its all about. Chiropractic didn’t cure Jennifer’s CP, but it removed the nerve interference, even just a little bit, to improve her quality of life. I have no doubt that with ongoing care Jennifer’s quality of life would continue to improve. Jay, I hope you find Jennifer and have the wonderful opportunity to help her live more of the life she deserves.”
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