News from Uganda! Changes and re-routing!

News from Uganda!

Yesterday our president was sworn in amid protests following the arrival of one of the leading opposition leaders back into the country. There was a lot of tension in the city. There was even an incident where a motorcyclist was shot dead by security agents when he obstructed the Nigerian presidential convoy.
However, today the situation was calm and we thank God that the current state of affairs appears to be normal at the moment. The opposition leadership says they will still continue with the walk to work protests on Mondays and Thursdays so we cannot ably predict how the situation will go on in the month of May 2011.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201105160172.html

We are closely monitoring this rather unpredictable situation and are saddened by the decision to cancel the trip. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you, the international tours team and all our guests.

The Chiropractors with Compassion Team will be changing their plans to avoid any unrest and risk.

Africa Awaits!

Dr. Mike Rumpel leaves for Africa in one week. 
One of the many places they will be visiting is Mathare Valley.  According to one United Nations study, 60% of the population of Nairobi lives in slums which occupy about 5% of the land. The largest of these slums in Kibera, with an estimated 1.5 million residents. The oldest and worst of the slums in Nairobi are part of a collection of slums called Mathare with a population of approximately 700,000.
In Mathare, people live in small one room shanties made of old tin and mud, often occupied by 8-12 people. They sleep on pieces of cardboard on the dirt floors of the shanties. There are public toilets shared by up to 100 people and residents have to pay to use them. Those who cannot afford to pay use the alleys and ditches between the shanties. “Flying toilets” are plastic bags used by the residents and thrown to the wind or into the Nairobi River, which is the source of the residents water supply.
There are almost as many people in the three square miles that make up the Mathare Valley as in the cities of Denver, Seattle, or Boston. HIV rates are high. Children and teenagers are often left to care for their younger siblings. 

This is just one of the many incredible things Dr. Mike will witness to grow and learn.

The Future Dr. Shaun Maher, DC

How and Why I Chose Chiropractic. 

 This is Shaun's account of the whole process of becoming a Chiropractic Student and a future Doctor of Chiropractic.I’ve recently realized why I didn’t apply for chiropractic school sooner.  It’s because, even though I thought I knew, I actually had no idea what chiropractic was about.  And this is the case for most people.  
After finishing my BSc in kinesiology I was sure I wanted to do something that involved helping people.  I just didn’t know what.  I liked kines because it was broad and would prepare me for any job or further education I believed I was interested in.  After graduating I just wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted but knew I would enjoy living in the mountains and skiing.  I was right about that.  However five years later, having not applied anything I learned in a constructive way,  I was unfulfilled.  Life was not turning out as I thought it would.  It was time to make a change.

In researching career and education opportunities chiropractic was always a top consideration.
The concern I had was the limited scope I thought chiropractic had helping only people with sore necks and sore backs.  Even so, I really wanted a change and the appeal was strong enough that I would begin the application process.

I applied initially in 2009 in all honesty very ignorant to chiropractic.  It was somewhat of a surprise when I was granted an interview.  However due to my lack of experience and knowledge about chiropractic I was not accepted.

Throughout the application process in 2009, I learned a great deal about chiropractic.  Even more so, since June, 2010, when I began working at Elk Valley Family Chiropractic with three remarkable people:  Dr Mike Rumpel, DC; Karen, CA; and Nicole, CA.  It was awesome how much they enjoyed their work and how positive the atmosphere was in the office.  On a daily basis I experienced the potential chiropractic has to improve lives.  It a has confirmed my desire to become a chiropractor and my commitment to chiropractic.

I began to understand that chiropractic was not about fixing sore backs and necks.  The chiropractic adjustment is about removing nerve interference allowing the body’s innate intelligence to work at its full potential.  Adjusting subluxations will positively impact all aspects of your health.  Chiropractic is an important component of a healthy lifestyle.

The interview itself is painless to get through if you are prepared.  I admit I was more anxious the second time around only because I had placed higher expectations on myself (and of course felt that more people also had expectations of me).  This being said I was also more confident because I was more prepared.  

The interview for BC applicants was in Vancouver.  This was a great opportunity for me to visit my brother, who is a Chartered Account there and ski Whistler for my first time.  This may have helped me to go into the interview nice and relaxed and positive.  I would recommend this approach to any interview or important meeting.
At the end of the day, I want to feel that I helped people and that I made a difference.  Serving my community as a Chiropractor and delivering the chiropractic message will undoubtedly help me do this.  I have personally observed how chiropractic can transform people’s lives; helping them be pain-free, healthy and live wellness lifestyles.  Chiropractic has encouraged me to live to my optimum potential.     




As you can see, Shaun will make a great Chiropractor, helping more people to live a better life!

Know your cleaners.

Check out Dr. Mercola explaining household cleaners.  What is needed and what is not.  Be aware of what ingredients are disguised....

Think Globally, Eat Locally
Have Fun and Save the Planet

Now it is more important than ever to eat locally and shop your local farmer's market and small grocery store.

We all know that our planet needs our help right now, but we often feel unsure about what to do, where to make an effort, and what will really help. The good news is that we can heal the planet on a daily basis simply by buying and eating food that is grown locally. Food that has been transported long distances doesn't contain much life force by the time it gets to your kitchen. Making a commitment to shop, buy, and eat locally is not only a very important part of creating positive change, it can also be delicious fun.

One of the best places to begin the adventure of eating locally is a farmer's market. Stalls brim with fresh fruits and vegetables grown on nearby farms. Not only is this good for the environment, it's good for the farmers since they benefit from selling directly to the consumer. The consumer benefits, too, from the intimate experience of buying food from the hand of the person who grew it. In addition, the food is fresher and more diverse. In supermarkets, particular varieties of fruits and vegetables are favored due to their ability to survive transport to a far destination. Alternately, at a farmer's market, you will find versions of the fruits and vegetables you know that will surprise and delight your senses—green striped heirloom tomatoes, purple cauliflower, white carrots, and edible flowers, just to name a few.

Make an effort to buy as much of your food as possible directly from local farmers. You will become one of a growing number of people eating delicious food to save the planet and having fun doing it. 

Enjoy the weekly farmer's market at Rotary Park and Baynes Lake.  Support local farmers and eat healthier.  Check out Cincott's new Organic market location.

Africa Bound!

HEALING HANDS REACHING OUT TO CHILDREN’S HEARTS

Chiropractors with Compassion (CWC) is a movement dedicated to transforming the lives of children around the world. Chiropractors from around North America have joined hands together with Compassion to fund holistic child centered projects around the globe.

Dr. Mike is participating in the next visit to Kenya and Uganda, Africa.  Stay tuned as we follow him on his exciting dream to help those less fortunate.

Each CWC project is focused on transforming children from the inside-out by serving their spiritual, educational, economic, social and physical needs.

By focusing on developing the child, we help break the cycle of poverty.

We believe that these children have the potential not only to survive, but to thrive; to become leaders in their community who will in turn bring change to the world around them.

Every project is funded by CWC doctors, who have each committed to donate $20 from every new patient exam.

CWC is bringing help and hope to impoverished children and is allowing the hearts of individual chiropractors to grow as they serve and give to those in need.

Chiropractors of all practice philosophies and styles are coming together to serve children in a tangible way.

Healing hands have joined together to transform the world one child at a time and we’re just getting started…

Chiropractors with Compassion is a partner with Warrior Coaching and Compassion Canada.

Get Outside!

Getting out into nature is good for your health. I don't have any gold standard, double-blind, randomised control studies to prove it, but I innately know it to be true - and there are very sound reasons as to why.


Island Lake Road, Fernie, BC



Firstly, spending time in nature incorporates exercise. In almost every instance, getting out into nature involves walking, running, climbing or paddling your way around, and I don't think I need to spend too much time here explaining to you just how good that is.

Secondly, it involves fresh air. You only need to go for a stroll around the inner city for 10 minutes to realise that the quality of the air we breathe isn't what it used to be. The more we can get out into nature, get some fresh air into our lungs and reduce the chemical (pollution) load on our lungs, the better we will be.

Thirdly. it involves de-stressing. There is just something about nature that is great for reducing stress. The exercise plays a significant role, as does the fresh air and the quiet thinking time. Whatever it is, though, there is no doubt that getting into nature will leave you feeling less stressed, and given the links between stress and chronic disease, this will have an impact on your health.



Fourthly, it involves getting in touch with nature. This is one of those intangible benefits, but there is no doubt that getting into nature and seeing the beautiful balance of a natural, undisturbed ecosystem at work gives us pause to think about our own bodies and what kind of ecosystem we are maintaining. We understand that a forest needs nutrients (minerals, sunlight, water) and we understand that it needs no toxicity (pollution, woodchoppers, chemical sprays), and so it causes us to think (consciously or subconsciously) about the kinds of nutrients and toxicities we are creating around our own body.

So spend some time out in nature - you will feel and function better for it. By Dr. Brett Hill, DC.

De stress!  Enjoy the wonderful surroundings of our Elk Valley environment.   It is REALLY good for you!