Beating the Odds and Bucking the Trends: Peter J. Szakacs, D.C. 鈥78
Tell Dr. Peter J. Szakacs that he can鈥檛 do something, and he will prove you wrong. Tell him he can鈥檛 x-ray patients, and he will help change the law. Tell him he鈥檚 going to be disabled, and he will fight back to health and help others do so, too.
NYCC years
Even in college, 鈥淒r. Pete鈥 was aware of how politics could undermine common sense and good treatment options. Asked once by his favorite instructor what he would do if a law was enacted that mandated him to do something he didn鈥檛 want to do, Szakacs responded that he would move to another state. It turns out that comment might have been prescient.
Civil disobedience
In private practice since 1979, Szakacs became active with the New York State Chiropractic Association (NYSCA). While serving as NYSCA鈥檚 county president, he decided to personally challenge the antiquated 鈥渓umbar x-ray law,鈥 which had been in existence since D.C.s were first licensed in New York state in 1967. The law stated that Doctors of Chiropractic (D.C.s) could not take x-rays of the lumbar spine, could not x-ray an extremity, and could not take an x-ray of anyone under the age of 18. It was common for D.C.s to disobey this law, hiding illegal films. Szakacs purposely allowed inspectors to find prohibited x-rays in his office. The state of New York began its prosecution, a case that garnered widespread media attention. A plea agreement eventually allowed Szakacs to practice in his home state of Pennsylvania, but it wasn鈥檛 long before 鈥渂ackroom鈥 politics in New York produced the more equitable law that is in place today.
Starting over
In Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Szakacs expanded his natural health approach with education in acupuncture, anti-aging medicine, nutrition, and sports chiropractic. During that time, he also served on the NYCC Board of Trustees for three years.
The accident and recovery
In Pennsylvania, Szakacs was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident. He was diagnosed with severe spinal injuries and multiple sclerosis and considered totally and permanently disabled. Szakacs retired and moved to Florida. However, disability was another 鈥渃an鈥檛鈥 that Dr. Pete was about to turn in a different direction. During the next two years of what he half-jokingly calls his 鈥渆xtended sabbatical,鈥 Szakacs underwent chiropractic care, acupuncture, and nutritional rehabilitation. Overcoming his disability, he returned to active practice in 2006, concentrating on helping seniors with serious spinal health conditions.
The halfway point
At age 60 (鈥渢he halfway point of my life鈥), Szakacs moved to The Villages, Florida, the largest 55+ community in America. There, he continues serving seniors, helping them to 鈥済et back in the game鈥 of life. What others might perceive to be a dead end, Szakacs proved to just be another way鈥攁nd not just a different way, but a better one.
