Battle Creek: once an alternative health center, now in sad condition

[Key Guy]

From the Examiner.com, Miami

http://www.examiner.com/x-7281-Detroit-Alternative-Medicine-Examiner~y2009m7d19-Battle-Creek--once-an-alternative-health-center-now-in-sad-condition

Quote:

Known world-wide as the Cereal City, Battle Creek, in central Michigan, once was also known for its progressive health care facilities. The Battle Creek Sanitarium, operated by Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, was renowned everywhere for its treatment of the sick. Although its methods were considered at the time, in the late 1800s to early twentieth century, somewhat radical, people traveled from far and wide to have their health restored at this spa. Based on Seventh-Day Adventist principles originally, such as vegetarianism, abstinance from alcohol and tobacco, Dr. Kellogg added some of his own techniques. These involved the ideas that to have good health, people needed fresh air, exercise, rest and good nutrition. We all know, today, how his explorations into these areas brought about the innovations of the breakfast food industry begun with his brother, W. H. Kellogg.

The Sanitarium, which later became the Percy Jones Army hospital, treating veterans of World War II and the Korean War, is now no longer a health facility at all. Today it is the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center, housing federal government and military offices. Where has the spirit of holistic health gone to now? There is much more to this question, and the answer, than merely the absence of an alternative health care facility. True, there are practitioners in the area who still carry on the traditions of the pioneers in their field who gave Battle Creek its reputation as a revolutionary place in treating illness. There is a change, however, which many are starting to notice in the last few years, in the city itself. When the entire attitude of a community deteriorates, from one of focusing on promotion of wellness and helping others to live simple, healthy lives, to one of violence and fear, can it be said that the place itself is sick? Is it possible to ascribe to a region a condition of illness, not based on some type of anthropomorphism, but on the fact that the people who live there ARE the community?

This idea comes from the awareness many have in Battle Creek that things are bad, what with seven homicides so far this year, numerous shootings, stabbings, robberies, home invasions, prostitution, gang activity, and drug trade and abuse. Certainly this occurs in all cities across the nation today and has for some time. However, for a city with a population of between fifty and sixty thousand, it is horrible--there's no other word for it. People may say, "Hey, if you don't like it, leave!" but that's not the solution. What IS? Community activism is good but the people who are getting involved aren't the ones doing the killing, etc. Can this former center of wholeness ever return to its former glory, as a place where people want to practice good physical, mental and spiritual health? If enough people decide they want to return to Battle Creek's former glory days, can they make it happen, and if so, how? This is a question the citizens have to answer for themselves. Maybe if they all rise up and cry out, as Archbishop Oscar Romero did in El Salvador, "STOP THE KILLING!", someone will listen and spread the word. Something has to be done, certainly--and when people realize that, maybe they will also realize that every person is the "someone" who needs to do something. No single individual can cause change alone, but by working together toward the same ideal, Battle Creek can be restored and lives can be improved and saved.

(photo online)