June 29, 2011 — Retired Brigadier General, Rebecca Halstead, the first female West Point graduate in United States history to command in combat at the strategic level in both Iraq and Afghanistan, visited Parker University and spoke to students, faculty, and staff about the positive impact chiropractic has had on her, the importance of growing the number of United States Military facilities that provide chiropractic care, and discussed qualities necessary to be a leader.
Halstead, diagnosed with chronic fibromyalgia after 27 years of service, was forced into an early retirement because of the pain and symptoms associated with the disease — such as fatigue, sleep deprivation, and depression.
She went to numerous doctors and specialists to resolve the pain, but didn’t experience successful relief until she discovered chiropractic.
“The doctor of chiropractic was the one place I could go and walk out feeling better,” said Halstead.
Today, Halstead receives tremendous relief from her chiropractor who provides routine adjustments, nutrition and supplement counseling.
“Now I look at my old bottles of prescription drugs and think life is great and I don’t take one of them,” said Halstead.
Now a spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, Halstead’s mission is to educate other soldiers and civilians about the many benefits associated with chiropractic.
Halstead spoke to Parker students and employees about the importance of chiropractic in military facilities and veteran clinics and how it plays a role in supporting them after caring heavy equipment, being under a great deal of stress, and having injuries.
Being a leader herself, she encouraged the audience to be leaders in the chiropractic profession and shared qualities a leader must possess including courage, self-discipline, precise communication, accountability, dependability, innovation, and more.
“When you’re in a position of leadership you have to be courageous enough to confront problems,” said Halstead. “As a leader you have to make tough decisions and in order to make these decisions you should always use your heart and your mind.”
Halstead also had an intimate conversation with the Parker Military Association made up of Parker student, faculty, and staff veterans where she shared personal stories of being a General, answered questions about her experience in the military, and explained more about her role in working to increase the number of U.S. military facilities that provide chiropractic.
On June 6, 2011, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced S. 1147, requiring the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to phase-in availability of chiropractic care at all major VA medical centers within the next several years. Specifically, the bill would require 75 VA major medical centers have a chiropractor on duty before the end of 2012 and all major health care facilities to have a chiropractor on duty before the end of 2014.
To view the full text of S. 1147, click here, then contact your Senators and urge them to cosponsor the bill by visiting here.
Source: Parker University, www.parker.edu
