Straighten up Trinidad: 21 Mission Chiropractors adjust 10,000 people in Trinidad
By Peter Morgan, DC
On Sunday January 11, 2009 Dr. Joe Cucci and I took off from New York City to Port of Spain Trinidad. Our mission was to bring the healing power of chiropractic to over 10,000 people in the nation of Trinidad. Mission-Chiropractic is sponsored by the Scoliosis Care Foundation. The foundation provided a presentation on early detection techniques for Scoliosis detection and also copies of their new book “The Home Educators Guide to Scoliosis”. 21 Chiropractors and assistants provided chiropractic care, performing scoliosis screenings, and teaching Straighten up America to 3200 students and 7,000 others. We arrived in Port of Spain at 8:30 pm and we met with 9 other chiropractors and chiropractic students. While we were on the plane we adjusted the crew with our portable tables. At 10:30 pm we arrive at the Trinidad Hyatt and at 11:30 pm we are adjusting the pilot and co-pilot in the lobby of the Trinidad Hyatt. On every Mission trip I have a new first. This is the first time that I ever adjusted the pilot of an international flight that I just flew on. I guess this is what happens when your mission is chiropractic. Wow! What a way to start off a chiropractic mission trip. The Mission doesn't officially start until Wednesday; however a lot work was needed to be done in preparation for our awesome adventure. Below is a synopsis of our trip.
On Monday January 5, 2008: Dr. Joe Cucci and I arrived at the Guardian building at 9:30 am for an interview with the Guardian Newspaper. At 10:30 we met with two other National Newspapers for interviews. At 12:30 am we met with Mr. Corey Joseph. Mr. Joseph has been talking about Chiropractic on his radio show for the last three months. We were scheduled to appear on his show at 1:30pm for an interview. After the interview we are invited to meet and preach chiropractic to all of the workers and staff of the 7 story guardian building. We adjusted all the people from 6 different radio stations and three different newspapers. (Approximately 150 people) Tuesday January 6, 2008:
Dr. Cucci was scheduled for an interview on Trinidad National TV at 9:30 am. He took a team of chiropractors and chiropractic students with him. His interview went well and the chiropractic students appeared on the 6:30 news. Arrangements were made for television crews to come to the schools and churches where the Mission Chiropractors would be serving during the week. 12pm: Dr. Cucci and his team of chiropractors adjusted approximately 2,000 people in downtown Port of Spain in a promenade. As this was going on Meghan Costello (Northwestern chiropractic student) and where was scheduled to meet with the Minister of Education at 9:30 am. The purpose was to bring Chiropractic and Straighten up America to Trinidad but in reality we are bringing Straighten up Trinidad to Trinidad. A great meeting ensued and I am now in the process of following up. At 11:30am we were scheduled to meet with the Departments of Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Transplant Surgery and the Medical Director of the Mt. Hope Hospital in Port of Spain. I had the opportunity to provide a chiropractic lay lecture to the staff and directors of these departments. At 12:30 pm Meghan and I had lunch with the Chief of Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery and Organ Transplants. After our home cooked meal we went back to the orthopedic department and I adjusted the Neurosurgeon who has a back problem. Then I adjusted the Heart Transplant surgeon. Another first. The multitude of Medical Doctors and directors who were watching were impressed and wanted to get adjusted themselves. Shortly after adjusting everyone the Medical Director asked me “How can we create a Chiropractic internship program at our teaching hospital?" The orthopedic surgeon wanted to come out in the field and observe our mission work. We welcomed the opportunity for the orthopedist to watch us in action. At 4:30 we visited the Chief Orthopedic Surgeon’s prosthesis and orthotic facility. The orthopedic surgeon is interested in the Scoliosis Care Foundation. They currently use the Milwaukee Brace and Harrington Rods. They were very interested in the treatment model that the Foundation promotes of Chiropractic care, Exercise and Flexible bracing. At 6:30pm we had dinner and a philosophy talk with our chiropractic team. On Wednesday January 7, 2009 we were scheduled to meet with the Minister of Health and the chief Medical Officer of Trinidad at the Global Medical Response center. The purpose was to bring Chiropractic and Straighten up America to Trinidad. At 11:30am the Chief of Neurosurgery called me and requested another adjustment. When I arrived at the hospital he was with approximately 75 people waiting to be adjusted. Awesome!!! At 5:30pm our Chiropractic team of 21 meets at the Hotel for a master mind meeting. We reviewed our goals, meditated and thanked God for giving us the opportunity to serve pure chiropractic to the people of Trinidad. At 7 pm Dr. Jay Handt gave the most fascinating and inspirational chiropractic talk. 9pm: The team is on their own. Dr. Morgan, Dr. Cucci and a small group go to a Pentecostal church meeting for singing, dancing and socializing. Thursday January 8, 2009 Our Chiropractic team was divided into three groups and we departed for our mission-chiropractic work in the field at 9am. 1. Faith Evangelical Baptist Church: Approximately 300 people were adjusted and hugged. 2. Arouca New Testament church of God: Approximately 350 people were hugged and adjusted . 3. Redemption Worship Center: Approximately 300 people were adjusted, hugged and inspired. At all sites we adjusted, preached chiropractic philosophy, provided scoliosis screenings and incorporated Straighten up America/Trinidad into our teachings. Our chiropractic team went back to the Hotel by 4:00pm. Many of the chiropractors left with Dr. Morgan and Dr. Cucci to travel to downtown Port of Spain and adjust approximately 1500 people in a promenade. While people are waiting on lines to be adjusted, security becomes a problem. As we know to every problem there is a solution. The police come and secure the area so that we can continue to adjust in to the night. Awesome!!! At 10pm our entire chiropractic team congregates for a cell-f center meeting. Friday at 9am our team is divided into two. Team 1 led by Dr’s. Morgan and Jay Handt left for the Laventille Comprehensive School where 1600 hundred students and 200 staff were waiting. Team 2 Led by Dr. Cucci left for the Chaguanas Comprehensive school. 1500 hundred students and 200 staff were eagerly awaiting the arrival of this wonderful chiropractic team. In each school scoliosis screenings, chiropractic lay lectures and straighten up America was provided to groups of 150 students at a time. Approximately 3600 people received chiropractic care this day. 7pm: Dinner and share session. 8:30pm: Thanks to Yana ( a spiritual and beautiful chiropractic student from Life University ) a group of ten chiropractors were invited to set up 8 tables in a VIP room in the hottest club of Trinidad. 800 people attended this club. Miss Barbados first runner up stayed in the VIP room all night and encouraged people from the club to come in and get adjusted. Donations were requested and we raised money to repaint a local orphanage. Approximately 100 people were adjusted. Saturday January 10, 2009 9 am: Our teams was divided into three groups and left for the field: Team 1 set out to the Christian Union Church, in St James, Trinidad. Team 2 departed for Jesus is the answer Church, Diego Martin, Trinidad. Team 3 proceeds to Ever Increasing Glory Ministries, Sangre Grande, Trinidad. Each team attended to approximately 350 people. At 4pm the three chiropractic teams arrived at the most beautiful beach in Trinidad for a chiropractic celebration. Many of chiropractors opened up their tables and adjusted everyone on the beach. The orthopedic surgeon, who was observing our mission work, was so impressed with chiropractic that he requested that we set up a mission-chiropractic trip to Cuba during the first week of July 2009. He made a few phone calls and we now have schools, medical facilities and thousands of people waiting for chiropractic in Cuba. Awesome!!! Sunday January 11, 2009 Dr. Morgan and Cucci departed on an 8 am flight. During the flight Dr. Cucci adjusted the whole crew (except for copilot and pilot) Approximately 10,000 people were adjusted on this trip. Please join us on our next Mission-Chiropractic trip. Mission-Cuba July 2009. If you are interested in the Cuba Mission-Chiropractic trip please sign up now. Space is limited. "ARE YOU IN MISSION MODE?" Please E mail Dr. Morgan with comments or questions at Chirorye @aol.com
