Drs. Beverly and Ramsey Gordon or Phoenix, AZ

For as long as I could remember, I have always wanted to be a doctor. I have always wanted to help other people. I understood what it was like to not be able to play the same way as other kids. For most of my life, I was in the hospital at least once a year because I was a severe asthmatic. Sometimes I would be there for up to 2 weeks! My doctors told me that I would more than likely grow out of it. It only got progressively worse.

Little by little, my medicine chest began to fill. First with just allergy medicine, then with antibiotics, next came cough syrups, then finally steroids! It got to the point where I was telling my doctor what to prescribe me. Can you believe it?! A twelve-year-old was telling an educated, licensed physician what drugs to dispense, and HE WAS DOING IT!!

I no longer needed measuring devices for doses of cough syrup. I knew how much a tablespoon was just by how much it filled my mouth. Yep, I would pour it directly in. Any time I got the slightest tightening in my chest, I would take 3 puffs on my inhaler . It got so bad, that I would be on 3 different inhalers, cough syrup, and 2 different pills 3 times a day for up to 2 months at a time . The worst of it was the steroid Prednisone. These nasty pills would give me strange cravings and blew me up like a balloon.

Every time I was in the hospital, or in the pharmacy picking up yet another prescription, I would swear that someday I would be in a position to prevent other kids from growing up prisoners to disease.

Many of my dear friends are medical doctors. I had spent a good amount of time learning more about what their jobs entailed. The more I was learning, however, the more I questioned what I was about to do in pursuing medical school. I didn't want to just study the diseases and illnesses that we are trying to find cures for. Instead, I wanted to prevent people from getting sick in the first place. I just knew that there had to be a different field of study that would help focus on prevention.

I am a martial artist and teach classes to children and families. One of these families consisted of a husband and wife team of Chiropractors, Drs. Ramsey and Beverly Gordon, and their two children. Two years ago, Dr. Bev got a hold of my inhaler and wrote "Someday you won't need this" on it. I didn't know what it meant then, but it didn't take too long for me to figure it out.

I had known the Gordon's for a little over a year before I learned where their office was. I stumbled upon their office while filling up a water bottle at a local water store. The office looked warm and welcoming. I noticed Dr. Ramsey inside doing what looked like spring cleaning. He saw me through the window and waved me inside. For the next 10 minutes we visited and he took me on a tour of the office.

As we walked through the office, he shared with me a little bit about what they do, what their mission is, and what they want for their community. I was hanging on every word. It was as if he was reading MY mind, because he was saying everything I felt and had felt since I was young. By the end of the visit I had submitted my resume, and by the end of the week, I had the job that would not only save my life, but change it forever!!

During my first week of "work", Dr. Ramsey did an exam, took some films, and then "adjusted" my spine. The adjustment didn't hurt, it actually felt good . Within three months, I had eliminated any pills I was taking, and went from 3 inhalers a month to 1 in the past YEAR!!! It has worked so well that I am going to chiropractic school myself.

Because of what my family saw with my treatment, they all signed up for care, too!! My dad and sister are Police Officers for the City of Phoenix, and they can DEFINITELY tell the difference in how they feel and function. They didn't realize how much they were suffering until they started getting adjusted.

Everyone in my family now gets adjusted. Yep, even the dogs! After all, dogs have spines and nervous systems, too!

It's strange how life is. I went from saying hello to a friend, to joining a crusade. I am fortunate enough to see miracles happen for our patiens everyday. I see children diagnosed with autism say "mama" for the first time since being diagnosed .

Lori Contreras, Future D.C.

'At Life West Chiropractic University Class of 2008', patient of Drs. Beverly and Ramsey Gordon or Phoenix, AZ