Pediatric Diplomate Certification Recognized by Both ICA and ACA

I was encouraged to come across this Press Release about the coming together of the ACA and ICA on the issue of pediatric chiropractic specialization. ACA's article. ICA's article. The two leading chiropractic associations now both accept the postgraduate training originally developed by the ICA's Pediatric Council. It is exciting to see the ACA agree with the purpose and accept the ICA's 15 year old program as their official credentialed program for specializing in Pediatric Chiropractic...interestingly, this is the first Diplomate ever recognized by both Associations.
The degree is called the Diplomate in Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (DICCP). Check out the specifics of the DICCP here. It is a board certified and fully credential postgraduate degree in pediatrics for doctors of chiropractic.
The advancement of this part of our profession ought to be an example to the rest of us to "get along" a little better and work toward unity in areas where we can be truly unified for the good of the public.
Let's Keep Moving Forward!
The children deserve our best efforts.

Becoming Influential vs. Popular

My darling wife found this great little article about what it means to be an influential person. She is a constant reminder to me how important it is to be intentional and excellent in my life. Being lazy, haphazard, and inefficient is not virtuous or worthy of admiration.
Since I hope to be the type of father my children will emulate, I must reach for the heights. In 12 simple steps the reader of this 12 qualities... blog is encouraged to move beyond ordinary, and money isn't the prerequisite answer to becoming an influence on others.
Chiropractors possess amazing potential to have a powerful impact on the lives of their patients. We can model healthy decision-making for children, teens, and adults of all ages. Living for something bigger than popularity will not be easy. It takes vision, work, and commitment to rise above the crowd. While it is natural and common for humans to seek acceptance and approval from others, these things are not what motivate truly influential individuals.
Kuddos to "RH" for her article!

The Revolution in Healthcare

How's it going with you today? Things here at ChiroKiddos are slowing progressing. Sometimes I feel like the order which comes down from on high is: Hurry Up...and Wait! Our first order of dolls entered the USA over the weekend and should be in our hot little hands very soon!
The upcoming revolution in health care in this country will be focused more on prevention and wellness. The allopathic model of disease-focused management, risky drug therapies, and expensive surgeries has continually failed our citizens. BUT, there is a better way!! We can actually correct the cause instead of just treat the symptoms. You can join us at the forefront of this revolution by helping get the message about chiropractic wellness broadcast from coast to coast. Every child deserves a full and healthy life.
I have some great news about the upcoming annual conference of the ICA Pediatric Council
Dr. Larkin of Palmer College is headed for Australia to attend the meetings and she has promised to distribute ChiroKiddos business cards and brochures! I hope she is able to spread the word about this unique teaching tool to hundreds of Pediatric Doctors. Putting a pair of ChiroKiddos in your office is both FUN for the kids and FUNctional for Chiropractors as we revolutionize the mindset of our next generation.
You can order yours directly from the CK website...BTW, our logo and website was designed by twenty-nine 11 studios.
My wife and children will be putting the finishing touches on the CK dolls this week, hopefully completing assembly before our trip to Nashville for the Upper Cervical Evolution--a tribute to B.J. Palmer.

Keep Moving Forward...changing, learning, and growing, as we go...

Well, the big launch event this weekend at Palmer Destination Success will primarily be a marketing and name promotional event for us. Our ChiroKiddos supplier has been delayed in getting the recordable sound modules from one of his partners, so we will not have any product on hand this weekend.
But we will not be deterred by such a trivial nuisance!! To quote one of my kids' favorite new movies we will "KEEP MOVING FORWARD!" For any of my readers (all three of them) who are unfamiliar with children's movies, I must give a hearty recommendation for Disney's recent Meet the Robinsons. This YouTube scene from the movie is far superior to the typical industry trailer (which doesn't do justice to the movie or the fantastic story.) If you've not seen Meet the Robinsons yet, go rent the DVD this weekend.
Keep moving forward. Persevere. Never give up. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Practice makes perfect--or as my piano teacher often said, "Perfect practice makes perfect."
So, if you are facing some hard times or struggling to get things working right, I'd like to encourage you to keep moving forward.
Don't let unmet expectations stop your progress.

Website is online!

ChiroKiddos is online now. Go check it out! We are still a few days away from it being fully functional, but at least you can see the Atlas and Axis characters. My wife has a design patent pending on these figures. Their unique characteristics include: palpable AND adjustable spine, plus they talk too. Kids love to play with them. Doctors will love the new patients generated by active use of ChiroKiddos.
Purchasing on the web will be available by the last week of March. We have a special introductory price on the Atlas-Axis Combo, $20.00 off if you buy the pair.
These 15 inch plush figures are a one-of-kind pediatric education aide. Chiropractors are waiting expectantly for this product to hit the market. Student interest at my college is building this week as they see posters, travel mugs, bags, and other promo items. We are anticipating a grand launch at the Palmer Destination Success event.
As I contemplate the upcoming holiday...the earliest date for the Easter since 1913...I think it would be appropriate to read through one of the Gospel accounts of the Passion of Christ during this holy week. I'd suggest starting with Matthew 26-28 found here: Biblegateway (a great resource for searching the Bible). If you want more info. just drop me an email. bigidea@chirokiddos.com
I'll write again soon...look for a continuing series about Healthy Kids.
Until then, have a wonderful Friday and Resurrection Sunday!

Adapting to Change

As the launch date approaches, I'd like to have some help spreading the word about ChiroKiddos. The website will be online soon...I'll keep you posted.
The Palmer College of Chiropractic student newspaper The Beacon will run an ad and article in the March issue (should be distributed this week).
With all the new things happening with my wife's business, our household is constantly changing. We are learning to adapt to the idea of running a company. In case you are facing life changes too, here are some thoughts on change:

I've heard it said, "Nobody likes to be changed except babies, and even they fuss and holler during the process!" And what about this one, "Beyond death and taxes, the only constant in life is change itself." Even as we've grown accustomed to the idea of change occurring there remains some apprehension about what will be next!?…So I figured we all might be in need of some reassurance and stability.

I have lived over 37 years and in my observations of humanity it has become clear that nobody enjoys life when their little world is altered by outside forces. Let's face it: changing is difficult, and it can be downright annoying when someone else's decision was forced upon us without our input or knowledge. Many changes are healthy and welcomed, but that doesn't make them easy.

While many marketing/business gurus tell us that the only successful businesses are the ones which adapt quickly to changing markets and provide unique services to the new consumer, it is not an easy thing to do. "Innovate or Die!" may be their mantra, but how can we keep up with the rapidly changing pace of life? Where is the solid predictable routine allowing me to function with some level of sanity?

First of all: liking change and learning to adapt to it are not synonymous. We may not like the next president (or the current one), but does that mean we will uproot our lives and move to another country in protest? I personally don't like paying taxes and think the government wastes incredible amounts of money. So I vote, write letters, make phone calls, sign petitions, send emails, and discuss my concerns--then get this--I move on with my life. Although I do not agree with every decision made by our leaders, I am proud to be an American and I sincerely enjoy the freedoms this country affords my family to live and worship as we please.

This analogy may break down for you at some point, but maybe there will be a nugget for you to apply to your life. Yes we get stuck dealing with change regularly, yet I wonder if that is part of the grand plan to toughen us up a bit for the real world?

Secondly: If you have coworkers, employees, colleagues, or staff who gripe and complain about the changes just keep an eye on them. They will likely make adjustments and continue pressing forward or give up and quit as failures and you may even need to encourage this in their lives. No matter how horrible it appears, the world actually hasn't come to an end! Remember the caterpillar becomes a butterfly only after a long hard metamorphosis.

Thirdly: Remember the high calling we have--to deliver hope and health to the public. Pursue that goal. Keep your focus on why you are a Chiropractor or Teacher or Parent. Don't allow the changes you don't like to bring you down; better yet, don't let other people's disillusionment bring you down. I always tell my children that they can decide how they will respond to situations. We get to choose how we react. We can rise above the malcontents and soar above the fray. Let us not fall to the lowest common denominator and grumble about the winds of change. If I don't like the direction of the wind I can always adjust the sails.

To paraphrase B.J. Palmer, don't underestimate how powerful and far-reaching things you say and do today will be for other people tomorrow. Changes and our reaction/adaptation to the environment are true hallmarks of Chiropractic, so we might as well begin now.