6.

Life was pretty consistent during the first, second and third years of my sojourn at CMMC. By the end of the 3rd year, I was spending some time with the Dean discussing the issues surrounding the practice management course taught to the students. After assisting Dr. Padachuk with the course for a year, it was determined that my course requirements should increase to include more issues of risk management and practice management.

The course eventually evolved into a two year course -- third year involved the risk management issues necessary to be dealt with prior to entering into the clinic; and the fourth year course involved matters of importance to a new practitioner including issues involving the establishment of a practice. My still active speeding reading allowed me to grade the 150 or so chiropractic legal reports and two full sets of exams - all in my spare time.

By 1982, I had met up with Alan Adams and Ian Coulter. Both individuals were superb academics and logicians who could approach a problem with the efficiency of a military officer. There were ups and downs, renovations to the premises and legal matters which shall continue to remain subject to the 75 secrecy code (as if there is one).

Dr. Coulter became the first non-chiropractic president of CMCC and was required to deal with some of the more important issues within the profession and CMCC's history including accreditation. His vice-president was Kitch Hayman and then Jean Moss and the dean was Alan Adams and then David Dainty.

In 1982, Dr. Rich Luck was chair of the Board of Governors, Dr. Doug Brown and in about February 1982 I was asked by Mark Robson of the graduating class of 1982 to be the graduation banquet master of ceremonies........
5.

I spent the summer of 1977 revising my lectures – actually I did it while babysitting a newborn son, the second of three. The material was taking on a flavour beyond merely being the diatribe of a lawyer talking to a jury.

I can’t recall much of the teachings of 70’s other than a couple of incidents which are embedded in my diary of interesting escapades. The first involved a fourth year class that wanted to “strike” in the name of student power. It was an interesting battle of wills. In any event, the students were in school, in clinic and not picketing on the streets. The second incident involved me being asked by the Dean, Terry Watkins, to go into the first year class and advise them of the attendance policy of the school. It was like Daniel walking into an arena filled with Lions. The students led by Peter McGee advised me in no uncertain terms that such demands were beyond the realm of maturity. During those days, students actually attended the classes that they were paying for. The first year class was the class of 1982 – a very, very memorable class.

During me early years at CMCC I met up with legends in the chiropractic profession, many of whom have been friends through the decades. In particular there is the legendary, Douglas M. Brown, a prolific writer, a wit beyond compare, a defender of the faith in all things CMCC and many more things that would fill a litany of chapters in the history of chiropractic. We first met at a CMCC fundraiser. I was handling the wheel of fortune. He was handling another money grab. Not that I am overly competitive, but there was no way that I was going to let a chiropractor beat me at separating attendees from the cash in their wallets. It’s a lawyer thing. Anyway, we introduced ourselves and have been friends ever since.

I also had the privilege of meeting such individuals as Dr. Herb Lee, Richard Luck, Len Cunningham, Ken Smith, Darrel Ladell, Ed Demchuk, Paul Carey and Leo Rosenberg. Not all paths were crossed with the greatest of ease. In some cases, there were downright battles that were fought. But those are other stories.

By now, you should realize that while I am travelling through my history of chiropractic, I am not at liberty to set out all of my experiences, trials and tribulations. I am bound by what is commonly referred to as “solicitor – client privilege” meaning that there are certain adventures that can’t be told by me under pain of disaster. But there are still adventures that are outside of my constraints, so there is more to talk about.
4.

After two or three months of preparing lectures, Prof. Rozeiu sent me a copy of the course outline last used. I was a little embarrassed. I had been preparing lectures concerning the establishment of laws, the Magna Carta, the Napoleonic Code, ad nauseum The course outline give to me set out lectures on Intentional Torts, Negligence etc. It was a relief to know that the lectures would actually have some relevance.

So, after hand writing out nine lectures, getting my best suit pressed and being sent off to school on the first day of lectures, I stood in front of the fourth year class in September, 1976. It was a stressful situation. The students were my age or older and frankly had just about as much experience in life as I had. I just had one thing that they didn’t -- a law degree.

I had always wanted to teach. In third year law school I had been offered a teaching position at McMaster University in the MBA program. I would be entered in the course, teach and continue my articles. It would be a great set up except that the Law Society would not allow a part time articling program and not wanting to postpone the inevitable ordeal I passed on the once in a lifetime opportunity. The next great opportunity presented itself at CMCC.

Sitting in the class at 1900 Bayview Avenue were such future chiropractors as Howie Vernon, Bob Haig, Roberta Koch, and John Cosgrove. Since I am doing this through long-term memory and without reviewing extraneous documents, I apologize to anyone whom I forget to reference.

My first lesson was not so much of what I taught the soon to be doctors of chiropractic but what the students taught me. It is a simple lesson that animal trainers and teachers learn early in their careers -- “show no fear”. If you do, you will be eaten alive. So, I held my ground and acted as if I was speaking from experience – all at the ripe old age of 27 years. I also learned the second important lesson: “The key to success is sincerity, and once you can fake sincerity you have it made.” The lessons were coming fast and furious.

I remember the year going by rather uneventfully. I met some interesting individuals on staff: Don Sutherland, Terry Watkins, Lee Anderson, Adrian Grice, Jean Moss, Glen Engel, Brian Schut, and Don Henderson. There were many, many more but even my memory doesn’t work that well. I do recall being at the Christmas Party and being one of the few people who did not eat the potato salad and being quite grateful for the next few days.

I also remember attending at Graduation in May 1977, being the first of continuous graduations that I have attended religiously since that first convocation. It was always my favourite day of the year!
3.

I continued dealing with the plan of management set out by Allan Gotlib, overseen by Dr. Kilgannon and visited CMCC once or twice a week for adjustments, modalities and even a time on a table trying to stretch me to new heights. Each visit added to my belief that chiropractic could do for me what nothing else had been able to accomplish -- pain relief and much more mobility.

I eventually corresponded with Alfred Rozeiu in the early spring of 1976 (having now become a member of the legal profession) with respect to the potentiality of my teaching the course that used to be taught by Dr. Homewood and as required by the Drugless Practitioner’s Act of Ontario as it related to chiropractic licensure. We met, chatted and then he arranged for an interview with Dr. Herb Vear, the Dean of CMCC.

When I met with Dr. Vear, he invited me into his office and while he finished a phone conversation, I was able to view the multitude of pictures on his wall which were made up mostly of World War II fighter planes. Dr. Vear had been in the Air Force during the War. We spent most of the interview talking about his adventures and ordeals during the War. I didn’t have to say too much.

I was offered the position and Professor Rozieu subsequently advised me that I would be providing 9 lectures to the 4th year class starting in September, 1976. The course was entitled “chiropractic jurisprudence”. I had no idea what that was, so I spent a couple of months preparing lectures on “jurisprudence” as I understood the term in law school. Boy, was I wrong!
Five in a row and still counting. I am really getting the hang of this. Another realization -- do a posting whenever you get five minutes -- so at 8:13 am. here it goes.

2.

That first visit to the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College at 1900 Bayview Avenue in the City of Toronto was obviously not going to be my last. Allan Gotlib, as I recall, indicated that I would need 9 or so treatments. I remember asking if I could get them all at once. As I recall, I didn't realize that an intern, at that time, might have to see a patient for nine visits to get a credit -- actually I needed a lot more than nine treatments and still need treatment.

I have and continue to take exception to those people who say that when you see a chiropractor once you have to see him or her forever. it is a ridiculous statement no different than suggesting a trip to a dentist should be a one time visit. My bad habits continue and it takes chiropractic care to keep me on my feet -- 190 lbs standing on two 9 inch bases -- you can do the science.

Anyway, back to our story -- I continued with the care -- involving adjustments, modalities and even being hooked to a bed which tried to stretch me to a new height -- literally.

When I received the first adjustment -- I must say I acted rather abruptly and mentioned something about the legal system. Dr. Kilgannon was not all together happy about not being told I was a lawyer (I was only an articling student). Eventually the conversation became more cordial and we discussed the teaching of "jurisprudence" at CMCC. It had been taught by the esteemed Dr. Earl Homewood.

The next chapter of my adventure was into the world of jurisprudence at CMCC and meeting with Alfred Rozieu and Dr. Herb Vear................
Another day another post. Actually two. I posted an index to assist in finding the articles on such things as valuations, contracts, associates, and agreements of purchase and sale. Good sailing.

Now I am moving in a different direction. I had sort of promised myself that one day I would put into writing all of the people who I have come into contact with in the health care professions starting back in 1976. Not that it matters to anyone in general, but I am going to try and do this in chronological order. This should keep me blogging for a few weeks or months. So here goes:

1.

My first contact with the chiropractic profession came when I returned to Toronto from attending law school at the University of Western Ontario. I had spent three years complaining of an ear ache and was astutely diagnosed as it being a matter of "tension" and being prescribed valium. Nice way to keep a person with ADDDDDDD (not yet a known problem) smiling through law school. A friend from back in early school was enrolled at chiropractic college and as an intern was rubbing his hands in glee when we decided that I should seek a proper diagnosis and treatment at his hands. The person in question was Allan Gotlib, who is now Editor in Chief of the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association.

I attended for the assessment which as I remember it was termed a "subluxation". I had been x-rayed and after a consultation it was determined that an upper cervical adjustment was what was needed. Being anxious for the treatment but not exactly co-operative, soon to be Dr. Gotlib called upon Dr. Bob Kilgannon to assist in the treatment. It would work like a charm and a pain that I had suffered with for years was gone within days as I remember it. I still need treatment from time to time -- but that will be a story for a future time. Needless to say, I remember that first treatment as if it happened yesterday. Too bad it hadn't happened decades earlier.

More about that first visit and subsequent visits and more persons tomorrow and thereafter.
Three days in a row. I really have to get back on the motorcycle.

I received my copy of Dynamic Chiropractic Canada. Nice article if I do say so myself. My secretaries like the titles more than anything, ie. "legal manipulations; don't worry be happy; tick-tock; the smell test; the big picture". In another life I might have been a writer for a rag that you would read in a checkout line in a grocery store -- but that is another story.

If DC requests another article -- it will be dealing with "running through the thorn bushes". Use your imagination.


Two days in a row for posting a blog. Amazing.

Anyway, it was sunny and 21 degrees in Toronto today. Another day spent in the office and putting out fires. My latest article appeared in DC Canada -- title was to be "the big picture" but literary discretion always wins out. Now I am tossing around the next article. It will likely come to me at about 3 am in my sleep and then I will forget it by the next morning.

Still having a respit from dancing until my wife is ready to put on the dancing shoes. Having the honourary title of "least dedicated and most entertaining member" of the dance studio gives me certain indulgences in terms of attendance.

Apparently I have volunteered to participate in the Chiropractic Convention in Toronto in November. I am sure that I will be able to get myself in some kind of trouble at the function. After all, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Rules and Regulations

I think that there may be rules of conduct when creating a Blog - like assuming a responsibility to post every day, twice a day or three times a day. My problem with HDADDDDD is that I move from activity to activity without regard to such rules. You either get my attention in 15 seconds or its time to move on. So, sitting and writing a Blog is something that requires commitment. Except for 37 years of marriage, 34 years of practicing law and 32 years of teaching -- commitments are a general pain. So I apologize for not providing any words of wisdom that can be put to paper.

Frankly, it is spring time in Ontario -- and there haven't been many springs in Ontario in the last few years.

So the motorcycle is now operational - even if the pipes have to be changed and I burned the hell out of the air horn. The sports car is getting serious mileage and is my favourite daily activity. Other than that -- everything is done on an ad hoc basis.