In the early days of my chiropractic education, my understanding of the field was still in its infancy. Little did I know that my first daughter, Sydney's birth, would forever change my perception of chiropractic care and its profound impact.

As expectant parents, my wife Tabatha and I immersed ourselves in the preparations for childbirth, exploring both conventional and alternative methods. Yet, despite our efforts, confusion and uncertainty clouded our journey. We became fixated on orchestrating the birth on our terms, employing natural labor-inducing techniques such as walking, birthing ball bouncing, and reflexology massage.

Labor began with a drive to the hospital which was a 45-minute ordeal through Atlanta's notorious traffic. Upon arrival at the hospital and settling into the birth suite, our meticulously planned birth strategy crumbled. Tabatha was laden with monitors, and the stress in the room was palpable. Then came the alarming news: our baby's heartbeat was erratic, and she was in distress. What followed was a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty as Tabatha underwent an emergency C-section.

Sequestered in a room, I was consumed by dread. My previous work experiences in women's and children's surgery had shown me the whole spectrum of childbirth outcomes, from miraculous to tragic. This lead to even more fear. As minutes stretched into an eternity, I was overcome with a sense of helplessness.

When I finally saw Sydney in the NICU, my heart sank. She lay there, pale and under an oxygen tent, untouchable. My wife Tabatha, was sedated during the procedure, and wouldn't awaken for another 12 hours. It was a surreal moment, showing her pictures of our daughter while we were unable to hold her and my wife was in no shape to walk.

Sydney's first days were a trial of ventilators, oxygen canulas, and waiting. Eleven days passed in this agonizing state. I was forced to return to school, and during a class on chiropractic practice management, a professor's insistence led me to share our recent situation. His response was immediate and unequivocal: "Go to the pediatric office, and ask the chair of the department to adjust your baby."

Skeptical but desperate, I did just that. I escorted an instructor to the hospital and signed her in as a family member. She provided my child’s first adjustment. The impact was immediate and miraculous. Sydney's color improved, her breathing eased, and she maintained a 99% oxygenation rate without assistance. The medical staff attributed her recovery to medication, but I knew the truth: chiropractic care had unlocked her body's natural healing abilities.

We brought Sydney home the 36 hours later, her life transformed by that first adjustment. This experience cemented my resolve to dedicate my career to providing chiropractic care for mothers and children. My focus shifted to upper cervical care, pediatrics, and pregnancy, driven by a mission to promote better perinatal and pediatric health. Sydney's birth was not just the beginning of her life; it was the birth of my true purpose as a chiropractor.

Sydney is 9 years old now and thriving!