Who would’ve thought I would decide to pursue a career in chiropractic? Actually, many people did, which had a great deal to do with my strong chiropractic background. I grew up in West Paducah, Kentucky. According to my dad, I was born with a tennis racket in my hand (a plastic one that came with some flowers that my dad cleverly put in my hand) and received a chiropractic adjustment not too long afterward. I started playing tennis pretty much as soon as I could walk and went on to play Division I college tennis for four years at Murray State University. Unfortunately, that’s about as far as I made it. However, I definitely think that I ended up in the right place.
Up until the summer before my senior year of college, I was going to be an elementary school teacher. Then, all of a sudden, I just changed my mind and decided I wanted to be a chiropractor. It may have been the most spontaneous decision I have ever made, which doesn’t happen very often, trust me. Ironically, I also think it may have been one of the best decisions I ever made.
I spent my whole life around chiropractic, but it wasn’t until that summer that I realized it was exactly what I wanted to do. Before, I thought my family really didn’t need any more chiropractors, but I finally realized that you could never have too many! My grandfather was a chiropractor for over 50 years. He absolutely loved it and truly believed in what it could do for people. He practiced chiropractic until he physically couldn’t do it anymore. What he did had a huge impact on me and my decision to become a chiropractor. I filled in at his office (which now belongs to my uncle who is “chiropractor #2” in my family) a few times as a receptionist and thought it was amazing to see how so many people that were my grandfather’s patients are still coming to see my uncle. It just goes to show how much of a difference chiropractic can make in a person’s life. Two of my cousins are also chiropractors, but I figure, there’s always room for one more.
Not only did I decide to become a chiropractor for the obvious reason (it sort of runs in the family), but I also did it because I felt like it was the perfect fit for me. I never was in to dealing with blood and needles like medical doctors have to do a great deal of the time, but I always wanted to be able to help people. I can’t think of a better way to do this than by becoming a chiropractor. As a chiropractor, not only will I get to work with those who are sick and hurting, but I will also get to work with people who just want to keep themselves as healthy as possible.
I chose to come to Sherman for a few reasons. First of all, I thought the location was very appealing. It was also very highly recommended by both my grandfather and my uncle who was a former Sherman graduate himself. I came for a campus visit on career day during the summer of 2005 and felt very welcomed. Needless to say, I finished up my prerequisites at Murray and began school at Sherman in the fall.
I just wanted to tell you that you made a wonderful decision deciding to become a chiropractor, and choosing Sherman. Good luck in your future with our beloved profession!
Mark
Posted by: Dr. Mark J. Styers | February 25, 2008 at 08:58 AM