Honoring the Chiropractic Profession’s Heroines (Pt. 2)
James D. Edwards, DC
In 1954, Dr. Lorraine Golden began to formulate the idea for Kentuckiana. She saw the need for children with multiple handicaps to receive chiropractic care, and began to organize local DCs and laypeople to open a clinic that would provide free care to these children, most of whom came from families that were financially strapped.
The following year, the Kentucky legislature chartered Kentuckiana Children’s Center in Louisville. It was set up as a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian charitable organization to provide direct services free of charge to physically and mentally challenged children in need of health and special opportunities.
The center opened its doors to patient care in 1957 and slowly began to grow and expand its scope of treatment. It was through Dr. Golden’s efforts that the Health, Education and Welfare Department’s Division of Surplus Property gave some 11 acres of land and six buildings to Kentuckiana in 1961, with the purpose of expanding the center’s educational, health and research services. The occasion marked the federal government’s first grant to an organization that rendered chiropractic services.
Dr. Lorraine M. Golden with a child at the clinic, circa 1968.
Under Dr. Golden’s leadership, Kentuckiana became a unique chiropractic institution: providing free chiropractic care for challenged children; combining chiropractic care with a school for children with special needs; and providing that care free to the families that could not afford the care. Kentuckiana also developed the first postgraduate two-year intern program in pediatrics.
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Golden’s work was acknowledged by the bestowal of dozens of awards. She was the first DC in Kentucky to be named “Kentucky Chiropractor of the Year” (1954) and was commissioned a Kentucky colonel in 1958 for her humanitarian contributions. Her awards are too numerous to list, but some of her other honors include:
“Outstanding Kentuckian” from Governor Martha Layne Collins in 1984, in recognition of her “outstanding achievements and meritorious service to the commonwealth of Kentucky”
“Dr. Mable Heath Palmer” award (1988), given to the foremost woman chiropractor of the year
Elected a “fellow” of the International College of Chiropractors, earning her the designation of FICC
The “Heart of Gold” Award from the International Chiropractors Association (1989) in recognition of her humanitarian efforts and voluntary help for crippled and special-needs children
The “Golden” Award, presented to her in 1993 by James Parker, DC, for her 50 years of service to chiropractic
Dynamic Chiropractic’s “Chiropractor of the Year” Award in 1988
Closing Observations About Dr. Golden
I had the good fortunate to meet her once at a Parker seminar in the late 1970s. What a kind, caring, gracious person who had almost an aura which made me realize I was in the presence of a great healer. She enlisted me to build the first Kentuckiana website and as a longtime state PAC treasurer, Dr. Golden often solicited my opinions regarding fundraising. I guess I was helpful because one of my most prized possessions is her 1992 hand-signed certificate naming me a Humanitarian of the Healing Arts.
Now I want you to know “The Story of Justin” as it relates to Dr. Golden and Kentuckiana.1 When I was a second-year practitioner in 1979, a screaming, sick 2-year-old child named Justin entered our office. Justin was “dying” (his parents’ word) when they brought him in as a last resort. He had cerebral palsy, but that was the least of his problems.
Justin was in such agony that it prevented a proper physical or radiological examination. To be candid, I was doubtful if I should accept him as a patient because I was not at all sure that chiropractic care would help him.
Chiropractic cervical adjustments were started and after Justin’s sixth visit, this sweet, beautiful child got off the table, slowly walked over to me ... and hugged my leg! Even to this day, I do not have the words to adequately express how that affected me.
Justin knew chiropractic was healing him even before his parents or I did. I walked out of the adjusting room, leaned against the hallway wall and literally started crying. It affected me like no other patient had ever affected me or has affected me since. I suddenly realized that if I could make changes like that with chiropractic care, then just think what Dr. Golden and Kentuckiana could do.
As a result of Justin’s hug, I made a vow right then to make a contribution every month to Kentuckiana, which continues to this day. It is my way of reminding myself on a monthly basis what a tremendous healing art we have in our hands.
As discussed in part 1 of this six-part series, I am a longtime student of chiropractic history. In that regard, I have very much admired the outstanding work performed by women doctors of chiropractic. In 2021, I began an extensive effort to research and recognize the "best of the best" female DCs in the following six important categories:
Brief biographies for each of these chiropractic warriors are being published in this column in a series. As you read about each of these six Charter Inductees, I believe you will mumble to yourself more than once, I didn't know that. If that happens, I will have accomplished my goal. Upon of the completion of my research, I obtained a "Hall of Honor" website to recognize these Charter Inductees. I am purposely not giving out the website address yet because each of the inductees has earned her own solo announcement.
So, whatever happened to Justin? His last monthly adjustment with me was on May 7, 2000, and he was a strong, handsome, brilliant young man of 23. He had just graduated from Emporia State University after spending his summers giving to others by working with cerebral palsy campers. He had recently been accepted to medical school and that fall entered the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
After graduating from medical school, Justin became board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and is sub-specialty boarded in pediatric rehabilitation medicine. Today, he works at a pediatric rehabilitation hospital (Bethany Children’s Health Center) near Oklahoma City, which specializes in the care of children with disabilities. In collaboration with neurology and OU Health Science Center’s neurosurgery department, he has created Oklahoma’s joint pediatric movement clinic.
He currently serves as the associate medical director for the movement clinic and cerebral palsy, and volunteers as a clinical associate professor of neurology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
If I were never able to help another human being, Justin made my career in chiropractic worth it all by himself. Thank you, Justin – and thank you, Dr. Golden!
Author’s Note: Stay tuned. My next column will focus on the charter inductee in the legal category. Should you have any questions, comments or suggested future inductees, contact me by email at Doctor@JamesEdwards.com.
References
“The Story of Justin.” Kentuckiana Children’s Center newsletter, May 2000.
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