Meet the Team

FRONT DESK CREW

Teresa Shimerda

I’d like to tell you a story and it goes something like this…About seven years ago a single mom with three children moved eight hours away from everything she knew to start building her career. She was a young mom with two teenage daughters and one four year old son. She had transferred from Iowa to Paducah, KY with one of the largest retail companies in the world. On one of her days off, this woman and her three children were riding on jet skis at Kentucky Lake, when suddenly a wave went out from underneath her and she slammed down into the seat of the jet ski. She couldn’t sit on the seat after that point. I recall hearing her say that, “It was like someone had struck a hammer to her head forcing her spine down into the seat.” They had just begun to play that day so she thought to herself…’for the children I must continue on.’  She continued riding the jet ski all day in pain, standing up instead of sitting, but played with a smile on her face for her children.  She went back to work, in pain, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (thank God a day off).  She laid around all day in agony, Friday-Saturday-Sunday (back to work) she’s in more pain than ever, but back to work she went. Monday, ooh that Monday was one day she will never ever forget. I remember hearing her say the famous Chiropractic words “All I Did Was…” All she did was pull up her pants to button her jeans. Oh God the Agony, the PAIN.  It was the worst pain she had ever experienced and this woman had given birth to two of her children naturally without pain medication, and this pain was worse. The pain brought her to her knees (literally). The tears were strolling down her cheeks uncontrollably now, she wondered how she was going to get up. She could hardly move.  Her son hadn’t left for school yet, so she yelled “son, son, (he was    6  ½  then) come help mommy up.” Through her broken tears she replied, “I can’t get up!” He and the help of a sturdy door knob helped her up to a standing position. She told her son to go and get the pain reliever from her friend’s house next door. They didn’t have any on hand because she didn’t believe in taking medication for pain, but this is one time she knew she needed something to help her out. She had to get to work, so she got into her car and sat there…again the tears started rolling uncontrollably.  At that moment, her right leg was in the car and her left leg was on the ground outside of the car.  She started to squall, blubber, and moan, because for the first time in her life she could not will her left leg to move, or lift and get into the car. Whatever happened when she tried to pull up her pants caused her leg to stop working! She couldn’t LIFT IT. Panic started sinking in. She realized for the first time that this was something worse than just a muscle pain, this was serious.  She decided  to go to the ER.  The emergency room doctor said, “well young lady you have two bulging discs, take an anti inflammatory, a pain reliever, and try to make surgery your last option.” His last statement resounded in her head…”Make Surgery Your Last Option.” She informed the doctor, “Surgery is not an option doctor. I have three children. I’m their sole parent. I have no family here. I can’t take time off work.” She went home distraught and afraid of what the future would hold. She pulled out the phonebook and found McCracken County Chiropractic. The patient above… That patient is ME. My name is Teresa. After a very successful chiropractic treatment plan I am proud to say that I am a survivor of two bulging discs. Now five years later, I walk, play, ride four wheelers and a mountain bike, work out at the gym, jog on the treadmill, and enjoy life to the fullest. Dr. Atnip took me on as a patient, and I feel indebted to him for life. I also changed my career shortly after the jet ski incident because of my profound love for chiropractic and helping people. For the past five years, I have worked as the office manager of McCracken County Chiropractic. If a dedicated, fun loving, knowledgeable chiropractic team is what you are looking for… let me be the first to tell you, you will get that and much more from us. I leave you with a quote I much adore by Ralph Waldo Emerson… “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” When you are ready to help yourself we will be the first one in line to help you. We love you, just as they loved me and took care of me during my time of need. Sincerely, Teresa

   Belinda Cornwell

Although I have been in the medical field for over 17 years, my greatest experiences both personally and professionally have occurred in the last two years while working at McCracken County Chiropractic. I have had back problems since I was 16 years old. I have seen numerous "specialists" over the years seeking relief from my pain. I have NEVER seen any other doctor that has helped me even half as much as the doctors here at McCracken County Chiropractic.

I used to have severe back pain daily before coming here for treatment. I had in fact given up hope of there being any other way of life. In the two years that I have been receiving chiropractic care in our office, I have had three episodes of back pain lasting only hours each. I cannot tell you the difference that has made to me and to my family. Unfortunately, chronic pain affects not only the person hurting but also everyone around them. If two years ago someone had told me that not only was I going to be able to ride roller coasters again but that I was also going to run/walk/jog in multiple 5K runs, I would have told them that they were completely crazy. Yet in the last two years, I have been able to do both of these things and many more that I thought were forever taken from me. My life has been given back to me and there are no words that can express the gratitude that I feel. I am now committed to helping others find the same relief from their pain through chiropractic care.