Todays Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

[Guest guest]

A Hidden Miracle

By L. , D.C.

During my last year at chiropractic school, I was privileged to be

included

in a chiropractic mission to El Salvador. I joined a group of fifty

dedicated

chiropractors and interns for a weeklong trip. In small groups, we spread

out

all over the country to bring chiropractic to the people of El Salvador. My

small group was stationed at a church in the capital, San Salvador.

The first morning we arrived just before 8:00 a.m. to see 100 people

lined

up outside of the church. Some had traveled for more than four hours by

bus.

Through word of mouth and news reports, they had heard of our arrival and

anxiously waited to be seen by the American chiropractors.

Seven of us quickly set up our adjusting tables in a small room just

inside

of the church. As the clock struck 8:00 a.m., the outside doors opened and

the

line rushed forward. It was first come, first serve and as soon as one

patient

finished, the next in line was just seconds away. Being a chiropractic

intern,

I was used to seeing only a few patients per day. I quickly adapted my

skills

to be

able to see over 100 patients per day. The range of conditions, illnesses,

and

complaints was amazing. There was everything from severe scoliosis and back

injuries to heart problems and diabetes.

Many patients touched my heart during my time in El Salvador, but the

most

memorable was . About half way through the first morning, a mother

brought her six-year-old son to me. My Spanish was very limited, but with

the

help of a translator, I understood the boy to have a very weak immune

system.

He had frequent head and chest colds, sinus infections and bronchitis. His

mother was very concerned about him, since he was continually sick.

After examining the boy, I discovered he had severe misalignment of one

of

the vertebrae in his upper neck. I adjusted him that morning. I explained

to

his mother that we were only here for a week and it was vitally important

that

he be adjusted as often as possible. She agreed to bring him back for his

second adjustment that afternoon and then every day that week.

The next day I kept my eye out for him. I didn't see him in the

morning,

but I saw him just after lunch. He had a big smile on his face and was very

excited to be back. I checked him again and found some improvement since

the

previous day. Encouraged by the changes, I made another adjustment in his

upper

neck.

On the third day, I was again thrilled to see and his mother.

Not

only did have a huge smile on his face; this time so did his mother.

She

was elated and was talking so quickly in Spanish that my translator could

hardly

keep up. I understood about 's illnesses, but I did not know about

his

other challenges. His mother explained that had difficulty talking

because he had problems making certain sounds and articulating his words.

He

had previously been shy and withdrawn due to his difficulty communicating.

's mother was so excited because suddenly 's ability to

communicate

completely changed. He began talking as a normal six-year-old boy would.

He

was able to form sounds properly and articulate his words. could

express

himself and tell stories and be the young boy he was meant to be.

I will never forget , nor the precious week I spent serving in El

Salvador. It was an honor and a privilege to be part of that mission.

Everyone

greeted me with a warm heart and open arms. They are some of the most

loving

and gracious people I have ever met. I left El Salvador not only with

memories

that will touch my heart forever, but also a bag filled with gifts from many

of

the patients as a thank you for bringing chiropractic into their lives.

Every

time I think of it reminds me that there is a hidden miracle in all

of us

just waiting to be uncovered.