Dr. Mary-Irene Parker DC
Parrsboro, Nova Scotia
Chair, CCA Research Committee
As the newest Chairperson of the CCA’s Research Committee I want you to know that I am most often serious and dedicated to the advancement of Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation supported research. But that is not to say that I always grasp the intricacies and nuances of the reports and commentaries I read; I suspect like many chiropractors, my time of journal reading often gets interrupted or forced aside by immediate problems that so often occur in our busy offices. However, because we are colleagues I want to share with you an experience I shared with other CCA Board members upon listening to a recent presentation of current events in research. The talk was conducted by Dr. Mark Erwin DC, PhD, a researcher quite capable of talking well above my head in terms like, “interleukin-1 beta and Fas-Ligand” and how they factor in degenerative disc disease.
You may want to note that while Dr. Erwin is a very accomplished and awarded researcher he is also the charming guy next-door with an easy smile, a keen sense of humour and a enthusiastic speaking voice ... all of which captivates all members of his audience quite readily. With just a few slides and introductory comments Dr. Erwin had silenced the room and intensified the atmosphere such that we were following his every line. The silence was indeed golden; eyes flicked from speaker to screen and back again. Slide changed ... eyes moved across and shoulders leaned forward. There was a pause by our speaker and the silence was thickened. “This,” he said with a smile, “is where you should have applauded!”
Yes, indeed we should have applauded! But we were too captivated by the information we saw before us and the enthusiastic infusion of information most of us thought would only be considered years from now! Amazing investigation and stunning research findings concerning degenerative disc disease and related connective tissue disorders! So amazed that we sat there with, “Yes, yes, tell us more.” written upon our faces like those of small children at a library story-telling. So lavishly were we involved in the research news that we completely ignored the opportunity to praise its purveyor!
It is this is the enthusiasm I want to share with you concerning CCRF supported researchers! All too often we are asked to fund an event we never can attend or a cause from which we neither hear nor see results ... now we have one which not only touches our generosity but it gives credence to both our profession and our professionalism! CCRF supported researchers are our kin and the work they do is not only cutting-edge, it is leading chiropractic and particularly Canadian chiropractic to the very cusp of health care! It is my hope that you will bear this in mind when you financially support CCRF research for indeed Dr. Erwin and all of his chiropractic research colleges across Canada are making certain that you get value for your investment. Their work is amazing; learn of it and you will be inspired – and who knows, you may even sit in your office and applaud!