Salving Katrina’s wounds

The date on the cover of this issue of Chiropractic Economics is October 5. But this issue, dedicated to sports medicine and rehab, was in progress before Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast on August 29.

In mid-August I talked with Dr. Robert Lizana, the team chiropractor for the New Orleans Saints. New Orleanians are proud of their city, so I spent a few minutes reminiscing with him about the two years I spent living in the greater New Orleans area, from 1982 to 1984.

I told him about my first day on the job in the Crescent City. The community relations manager in my company took me to a party. Although it was August 31, the party had a Mardi Gras theme. A band heralded a traditional carnival parade. Krewe members tossed plastic beads. Caught up in the excitement, everyone scrambled for trinkets.

What I remember most about that party, however, was its venue — the Superdome. I stood in awe of its size. It was magnificent.

The Superdome probably looked magnificent to the people who fled to it as a hurricane shelter. It quickly lost its magnificence when it lost part of its roof, its electricity, and its water, and thousands of displaced people filled its aisles.

When I talked with Dr. Lizana about New Orleans and his role with the Saints, neither of us was aware of Hurricane Katrina. Since the hurricane hit, I have tried to call his office, which is located in Metairie, a suburb in Jefferson Parish. Of course, I haven’t been able to get through.

Our thoughts go out to Dr. Lizana, his staff, and the hundreds of other practitioners in and around New Orleans, Mississippi, and Alabama. We hope they are safe and will be back in business soon.

Our hats go off to Foot Levelers, Integrity Management, Zonsite, and the various state and local chiropractic associations that have taken the initiative in relief efforts.

If you have not yet donated, or if you can dig deeper into your pockets and donate again, please go to our Web site, www.ChiroEco.com. Click on the Hurricane Katrina banner, where you can find links to a number of different charitable organizations.

Katrina hit New Orleans in August. This magazine is dated October 5. But the need for relief will go on for months.

Until next time,

Linda Segall, Editor-in-Chief