Children’s chiropractic clinic launches Valentine’s Day campaign
Oklahoma City-based nonprofit Oklahaven Children’s Chiropractic Center launched its annual Have-A-Heart campaign Wednesday in an effort to raise money for the center and create awareness of the benefits of chiropractic for physically and intellectually challenged children.
The campaign continues through Valentine’s Day.
“Our goal is to open our hearts and heal the children with a chiropractic lifestyle,” said Bobby Doscher, D.C., president and CEO of Oklahaven. “The money (from the campaign) comes back to the center to educate parents and let them know that they have a choice in healthcare for their children. Many parents come to the center as a last hope.”
Through the Have-A-Heart campaign, chiropractic clinics and colleges are asking patrons to donate to Oklahaven and receive a paper heart to be displayed where donations are taken. The center also provides these locations with videos of how chiropractic has provided a measure of healing for children with profound disabilities.
“The main thing is to show these children can be healed,” Doscher said.
Oklahaven specializes in the treatment of children with nursing difficulties, colic, diarrhea, allergies, asthma, failure to thrive, developmental delays, ADHD through the autistic spectrum, cerebral palsy and other conditions through natural, drug-free chiropractic care. It has been in operation since 1962.
Retired chiropractor Anthony Guadagno, 86, has volunteered weekly at the center for almost 50 years.
“I was the ninth of 13 children and was always sick. I wondered why my brothers and sisters could run and play and I couldn’t,” Guadagno said.
When years of pharmaceutical treatments failed to restore his health, Guadagno decided to seek a different path. He enrolled in medical school at the University of Oklahoma with an eye toward becoming a physician and hopefully finding new and effective ways of treating ailments like his.
“While in medical school, a friend introduced me to Dr. Woods, a chiropractor. He took me to lunch and we talked about natural healing. A light went on and I thought, ‘That’s for me.’”
Guadagno changed his course and became a chiropractor.
Seven decades later, he says he is in robust health and plans to travel to New Jersey this week for his brother’s 100th birthday. He said he plans to dance into the wee hours.
“God knew what he was doing when he created the human body. He gave it all the power of rejuvenation. If you give the body what it needs in nutrition and nerve supply, it’s going to attempt to heal itself. The first choice should be natural,” Guadagno said. “In my career, I’ve seen so many amazing things happen.”