Supportive and Principled Upper Cervical Wife and Mother: An Interview with January Harshe

My wife January is one of the most hard core chiropractic advocates I know. She has a stronger chiropractic philosophy than just about everyone I meet. It was even stronger than mine for a long time, until I got my act together.

Chiropractic is a calling for January. However, we have had kids and that has put any plans she has had to be a chiropractor on hold. She has sacrificed her dreams for the good of our kids and for that, I don’t have words to describe my admiration.

I’ve been asked why I haven’t interviewed January on the blog. Well, finally, here it is. I’m grateful to my beautiful wife for answering some questions for The Atlas of Life.

Brandon: How did you first learn about chiropractic?

January: “I had a good friend in high school who worked in a chiropractic office a few years after we graduated.  She would mention once in a while that I needed to get in and see the Doc.  I just didn’t get it.  Finally, she told me a story about a Chiropractor who had a bad accident and let his arm heal by itself, scab and all.  He only got adjusted and let his immune system work its magic.

For some reason this piqued my interest.  I made an appointment and the minute the Doc put up my x-rays and explained Chiropractic to me, I got it.  Instantly.

I went home and told Brandon, “We have to come up with $250 a month because this is very important!”  Ha Ha. I think he about fell out of his chair.  I didn’t care though.  I was going to be under care one way or the other.

Shortly after starting care, the numbness I frequently felt in my fingers went away.  My allergies were no more.  I realized there really was a way to heal from the inside out and I fell in love.  I went to the Doc and told him, “I never knew what to call it, but I’ve always believed in Chiropractic.  I have to work here.”  He told me to fill out an application.  It was a formality.  I started work the next week.”

Brandon: What was it like working in a chiropractic office? What did you learn while working there?

January: “It was awesome!  I worked hard, clocking in an average of 50+ hours a week.  I had fun working with the staff (still great friends with some of them).  The patients were wonderful.  It was amazing to watch the transformation when they would ‘get it’ too.  I was out shopping with the Doc’s wife (also a Chiropractor) and another staff member.  We ran into a mom with the cutest triplet babies.  It came up that they were sick and quite often. We started talking to her about Chiropractic.  She brought her babies into the office and started them, herself and husband under care.  They were well.  No more medicines, vaccines, etc.  What joy that brought us.

I am very grateful I worked there before I had children as well.  I already knew how we would handle the health of our children.  I researched vaccines extensively and had already made the decision that my children would not be subject to them or any other drugs for that matter. I learned that medical care was emergency care and that is the place it would have in our lives.

I also learned a lot about running an office from patient relationships, running a front desk, doing exams, taking x-rays, marketing and more.  What a blast it was!”

Brandon: Would you explain to the readers whose idea it was to go to chiropractic school?

January: “Love this question!  MINE! I wanted to be a Chiropractor.  I have always felt I have a healing ability and want to serve others in this capacity.  I felt Chiropractic was the BEST way to do this.  I had to talk Brandon into going to school with me.  I think he said something like, “No, that is too hard.”  I explained if all the other Chiropractors could do it, why couldn’t we?

We both signed up for pre-req classes.  If I remember correctly Brandon backed out once, but when I became pregnant with our first child he realized it was time to step up and for us to start working towards something great.

After we had our first child, we were both in pre-reqs once again. However, I was miserable.  It was awful being away from my baby.  I learned the hard way that I was a mommy first and school just wasn’t going to jive with that.  This is something I actually struggle with on a regular basis.  It always comes back to me knowing what the Lord wants of me first and me wanting to be with my babies.  I can do so a great things raising my children now and later I can help others heal.  Actually, I think I can help people heal in other ways now, I just don’t always realize it.”

Brandon: Can you describe to the readers what it is like to support a spouse through chiropractic school?

January: “Oh my, I don’t know where to begin.  I deeply feel for all of the wives supporting their husbands through any kind of graduate school, especially those with children.  Unfortunately it doesn’t end the minute they get their diplomas either.  It is a very hard and trying time that requires a lot of understanding and faith from BOTH husband and wife.  This is a delicate balance.

For me, it was in Tri 2 that I told Brandon, “Look, you can get straight A’s and be alone or get B’s and C’s and have a family…you pick”.  He didn’t study much after that.  He actually did a very good job at giving me and the children a lot of time, which I appreciate.

I think as a wife of a Chiropractic student you have to express your needs of keeping your marriage and family first while supporting what your husband needs to accomplish.  This requires some sacrifice on your part.  For the husbands, they need to sacrifice as well.  Maybe less studying, lower grades and giving up a seminar or two.”

Brandon: For people about to embark on the journey that is chiropractic school, what advice can you offer them and/or their spouses?

January: “Find the right balance for yourself/your family.  That is going to be different for everyone.  If you are single, I can’t give a lot of advice.  I think you’ve got it easy!  If you are married with or without children, remember that your marriage and children come first, you don’t get a do-over with them. Make a plan of study time, school time, family time and stick to it as best you can.

Also know that it can change every few weeks or each tri/quarter.  Be as flexible as possible.  Oh, and also, for you husband’s in school:  your wife loves you very much and totally supports you in Chiropractic, but please find other things to have in common and talk about as well.  They will love you for it.”

Brandon: Initially, you wanted to go to chiropractic school, but that didn’t work out due to having kids. Can you convey the sacrifices and/or blessings you’ve experienced throughout this time?

January: “Actually, it has been a HUGE sacrifice for me.  I love Chiropractic.  It flows through my veins, it’s in my blood, I can feel it in my core. Every time I hear someone speak, especially on chiropracTIC, I get so fired up and want to sign up for school the following day.  I have cried, prayed and talked it out so many times.  I even once in a while do sign up thinking somehow it will all work out.  I always come back down, humbling myself.  I turn to the Lord and ask Him what it is I am supposed to do and although I know the answer, I need to hear it again.  Although I am being asked to sacrifice this calling I feel to be a Chiropractor, the Lord has blessed me beyond what Chiropractic could ever give me.  I have four beautiful, amazing, healthy children.  They teach me more than I could learn in school, they love me more than patients can, they heal me more than an adjustment ever would.”

Brandon: You have one of the strongest chiropractic philosophies of anyone I’ve ever met. What is that like when you talk to doctors, students, and wives of doctors/students who don’t have as strong a foundation in chiropractic as you?

January: “Thank you! Well, when we first came to school, it was actually a humbling experience.  I thought that most people going to Chiropractic school would be like me/us.  Yeah, to say I was shocked is an understatment.  Most of the wives either didn’t get it or didn’t care.  They would say, “Oh we don’t vaccinate because my husband doesn’t think we should” or “I don’t eat that becasue my husband is in Chiropractic school… oh you know”.  No, actually, I don’t know.  I just didn’t get it.

You should know why you aren’t vaccinating your children or why you are adjusting their Atlas before going to an M.D. or why you are letting your child’s fever run it’s course instead of giving them a fever reducing drug.  It’s not because your husband is in Chiropactic school, it’s because your child has an Innate Intelligance and through Chiropractic care, you can make sure there is no nerve interference and your child has the BEST chance at being healthy from the inside-out.

When I talk to or hear of doctors and students that don’t have a strong foundation in chiropractic, I have to calm myself…literally.  I get so frustrated and I have to remember it is not my place to judge and that we are each on our own journey.

With that said, are you kidding me?!  You are getting into a profession you either know nothing about or you don’t respect at all.  It saddens me.  Chiropractic is wonderful.  This is what’s causing all of the arguing within the profession and why the public doesn’t know what Chiropractic really is.  How can they when most Chiropractors don’t know? I think the doctors/students are not only selling their patients short, but also THEMSELVES.  If they only knew the history, simplicity and beauty of what it is they have at the tips of their fingers (or pisiform ) they would be grateful and blessed beyone measure.”

Brandon: None of our kids have ever been vaccinated, and each of them have been under chiropractic care since birth. What has that meant to you and how do you think it has affected our kids?

January: “Peace.  It gives me peace.  I know that we are doing everything we can to give our kids the best start of a healthy life.

We educate ourselves and make decisions based on what we learn, instead of what everyone else is doing.  The moment our child is born I know they have NO NERVE INTERFERENCE.  That is powerful.  Their little bodies are able to grow at their optimal ability.  They hardly ever get sick and when they do I embrace it.  I think it is great.  First of all, it’s never a big deal, and secondly it’s finally a chance for their immune systems to get stronger naturally.  I can’t remember the last time one of our kids was sick.

Oh wait, last year our third child who was under 18 months at the time had a bad reaction to peanuts.  She had a swollen face, hard time breathing, red and watery eyes.  She was a mess.  I think 99.9% of parents would have panicked and taken her to the ER for a shot and then would always carry and epi-pen around after that.  That’s not how we think.  Her Atlas was checked a few times a day for a few days and adjusted when needed. She mostly breastfed those few days and rested.  I knew that with no nerve interference and her body’s immune system working at it’s best level, that she would be fine.  And she was.  That is so powerful, such a blessing! This is ‘normal’ for us though.  Oh and she still enjoys and loves peanut butter.

It effects our kids in that they have no extra toxins going into their bodies.  They are learning about health in a different way than most of their peers.  Brandon loves telling people that he had to explain what diarrhea is to our 6 year old becuase none of our children have had it.  She thought it was hilarious.

Also, I feel deeply that we were meant to learn about vaccines and Chiropractic before having our first child.  I know that she would have been effected horribly by vaccines.  A mother just knows.

I thank Heavenly Father often that I was introduced to this knowledge and took the opportunity to educated myself and make a decision different than the norm. Any Chiropractor with children that makes choices like ours can see every day the difference it makes.  Every time we have a child people make comments that they are more so alert, holding up their heads well from birth, doing things early,etc.”

Brandon: What are your thoughts on Upper Cervical Chiropractic and how do you think it has affected our family?

January: “I was first introduced to Upper Cervical Chiropractic when Brandon had his Toggle class at Parker.  It wasn’t much, but at least he was introduced to it.  It was kinda considered a joke of a class and no one took it seriously.  I liked it though.  I could tell it was different (and I like different).  I told Brandon he should consider it.  He didn’t take me seriously… typical!  Ha ha!

I think it has effected our familly in two ways.  First, we finally got to the core of what ChiropracTIC really is.  How it began, the history, true philosophy, the simplicity.  Because of this, Brandon found passion for what he was doing.  That right there makes all the schooling, loans, ups and downs, worth it.

Second, our family is now under true ChiropracTIC care.  Our children love it.  They will NOT allow anyone to adjust them any other way.  Even they know it was right.  I am grateful my family is under Upper Cervical Chiropractic care.”

Brandon: What is your vision for the future of Upper Cervical Chiropractic?

January: “Wow, I don’t know if I have a vision for Upper Cervical Chiropractic.  At least I’ve never thought of it in those terms.  I know that we are not going to change the CCE and schools all at once and because of that there will be Chiropractors treating, doing therapies and going to nursing school.

I think what would be ideal is the Upper Cervical techniques supporting one another.  Upper Cervical Chiropractors educating the simplicity of what they do. Inspiring others to go to school and become UC Chiropractors themselves.  For me, being a mom, not a chiropractor, I share the message with other moms. I educate whenever I get the chance.  I share what IT can do for them and their children.  I live it and love it!”

Recommended Reading

• Sometimes Babies Die: Unassisted, Midwife Assisted and in Hospital Births
• Guest Post Over At The Skinny On January
• The Unassisted Birth of Baby #4
• Fear Mongering of Natural Birth
• An Update on More Blogging Changes at The Atlas of Life

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