by Peter Morgan, DC
A major focus of the World Chiropractic Alliance is to promote chiropractic humanitarianism around the world, and that raises the issue: what is a chiropractic humanitarian? The ways in which we all help others – from the patients we see daily in our offices to the third world children we meet on missions – makes us all “humanitarians” in a way.
As chiropractic humanitarians, we believe that improving human welfare is a moral imperative and by correcting subluxations we help to alleviate the suffering of others. Chiropractic humanitarians strive to ensure that those who are poor and those who have suffered traumatic events receive a chiropractic adjustment, so they can cope with this the physical, mental, and emotional stress they are called upon to endure.
Chiropractic humanitarians are strong professionals, students, and lay people. They are male and female, young and old, of all colors, cultures, ideologies, and backgrounds. Their motivations for humanitarian work are diverse, but all are united by their commitment to humanitarianism and chiropractic.
Chiropractic humanitarians strive to provide assistance to the increasing number of people affected by man-made and natural disasters every year. They reach out to the poorest and neediest people regardless of where they are in the world or what nationality, social or religious group they belong to.
They reflect everything that’s good and compassionate about our profession and our humanity – and should be respected and supported financially.
We face a future in which more humanitarian aid will be needed. If chiropractic humanitarians do not have full access to those in need, many thousands of people will not receive the chiropractic care they require. The best way to ensure chiropractic humanitarians can fulfill their mission is by improving awareness of and respect for the principles upon which chiropractic work is conducted.
In theory, humanitarian work is simple: you help people in need. But knowing how to help others is not always easy. The World Chiropractic Alliance, in its role as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) affiliated with the United Nations Department of Public Information, is in a unique position to support and publicize a variety of chiropractic missions. This is why it’s so important to be a member of the World Chiropractic Alliance and, in that way, support the efforts of chiropractic humanitarians everywhere.
Visit www.WorldChiropracticAlliance.org for more information on supporting or joining this remarkable organization.
(Peter Morgan, DC, is head of Mission Chiropractic, and has led dozens of chiropractic humanitarian missions to developing nations. He is the chairman of the World Chiropractic Alliance Council on Humanitarian Efforts. Dr. Morgan and Tim Merrick, DC, serve as the WCA’s NGO representatives affiliated with the United Nations Department of Public Information.)
