Ten years ago, Dr. Jimmy Leonette traveled to Vietnam, assisting on a medical mission trip as a chiropractic student. He always said that someday – when he established a practice – he would do it again.

 

That opportunity has come for the Bridgeport native and founder/owner of Enliven Chiropractic. From March 1-5, he was part of a mission trip to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic where he helped children and adults with his medical specialty.

 

“There are no chiropractors in the Dominican Republic and there is a big need for it down there,” he said. “We went to schools for two days, basically adjusting everybody from the cooks down to the kindergarten students. I think I saw 800 people. It was amazing.”

 

During Leonette’s remaining time in Puerto Plata, he worked in Haitian refugee villages.

 

“Their access to healthcare is so extremely limited. We gave them a taste of wellness care issues. They have migraines, headaches and no access to treatments,” he said. “Their healthcare system and their hospitals are pretty rudimentary – not really developed. At least, we could help them out with that.”

 

Ten chiropractors took part in the mission trip, organized by ChiroMission Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that helps raise funds for the less fortunate and serves the suffering, helping to provide a better standard of living with the use  of natural chiropractic care. But not everyone on the trip were chiropractic professionals.

 

“We had construction workers, massage therapists, a firefighter and some doctors’ staff members. Anyone can go to help with other aspects, such as handling patient flow or trying to calm people down,” he said.

 

Though the chiropractors and assistants traveled together, they didn’t all work in the same location. They did not choose where they wanted to be placed. They were simply taken where they were needed.

 

“You get paired up – a volunteer and a doctor – and dropped off,” Leonette said. “It could be a military base or a street corner. One of my mentors was stationed at a hospital where he adjusted chemotherapy patients. That’s all just part of it.”

 

Leonette and his volunteer were dropped off at a school. Neither of them spoke any Spanish, but there ultimately wasn’t such a big problem with communication.

 

“We always got a hug, a big smile or a high five,” he said. “The people there are extremely loving and appreciative that we’ve come down there and done something for them.”

 

At the Haitian refugee village, the children were grateful just for the visit.

 

“I was walking up this giant hill and one of them grabbed the chair I was adjusting in and three other kids were hanging off my arms and helping me up the hill,” he said. “They didn’t want anything – just to be with us.”

 

Chiropractors and others who go on the mission trips pay their own way.  They are also encouraged to bring supplies for the schools or orphanage if possible. 

 

“We took basic necessities, clothes and toys,” Leonette said.

 

He and his volunteer were housed at and fed by a Catholic Missionary house which also served as their headquarters.

 

There are several reasons why Leonette was excited to contribute his time, heart and energy during his recent trip to Puerto Plata. The natives were so very appreciative and humble; possessing no sense of entitlement, just sheer joy. But those who served were transformed too.

 

“I saw them in a completely different mode; turning into completely different people,” he said.

 

He has plenty of selfies taken with the children to remind him of his 2017 mission trip. But images are also strong in his heart and mind.

It won’t be another 10 years before Leonette returns.

 

“I’m actually looking at going back in September,” he said. “I’m thinking about going to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.”

 

Chiro Mission started in 2001.  Since then, they have adjusted countless individuals, built an orphanage, raised thousands of dollars to purchase food for people in the communities they serve and donated thousands of school supplies.

 

Leonette is a 1995 graduate of Bridgeport High School and a graduate of Palmer Chiropractic College in Iowa.

 

Learn more about the medical missionary opportunity at ChiroMission.com.