Dr. Michael Brickman: Guided by a Principled Life
By Marlene Brickman
Some of you knew my husband Michael, others probably heard of him, or heard
of his passing this August at the age of 39. Michael and I built Downsview Chiropractic
together, and I am here to pass on his legacy.
Michael lived large. There would be no way you could be in a room and not know
when Michael entered. Although he had a big physical presence, he also had a
large spiritual, emotional and philosophical presence. Everything he did, he
did with a passion.
He lived by his favorite quote by Yoda in “Star Wars”—“DO
OR DO NOT—THERE IS NO TRY” and accordingly, his accomplishments
mentioned in the field speak for themselves.
But one of his greatest loves was being a chiropractor and he was proud to represent
the profession. Michael fell in love with chiropractic after he was hurt in
a water skiing accident and the chiropractor was the only one who actively worked
with him to get him back in the water in one week.
While a leader in the profession, his office was simply a safe refuge for his
patients. The motto of his office was to help as many families and individuals
as possible access the benefits of chiropractic care so that they may live happier,
healthier and more productive lives; to make the clinic a high energy, positive
environment; and a home for both staff and patients.
There is not one person who entered my husband’s office or his life who
didn’t have the same thing to say about him: He always had a smile, a
sense of humor, a positive energy and a comforting and healing touch to make
each person feel better and more alive when they left than when they arrived.
He told his patients “just wiggle your toes, it won’t hurt me one
bit.” And “It will feel better when it quits hurting.” Although
humorous, his patients believed and trusted him, because he believed and trusted!
After Michael died, I had patients who came to visit me and I had to console
them —now that is the testament of a man who has reached out and touched
and affected.
What I do know is that Michael was a chiropractor that loved what he did—chiropractic
philosophy was a way of life for him, its principles guided him in every aspect
of his life and in every role—as a husband, father, son, brother, uncle,
friend, coach, doctor, colleague, mentor and even as a golfer.
Throughout his short life, Michael gave for the sake of giving, loved for the
sake of loving and served for the sake of serving.
And this is what he would wish for you.
Remembering Dr. Brickman
Dr. Michael Brickman, 39, passed away suddenly at his home in late August, leaving
behind his wife Marlene and two children, Zane and Arielle. He enjoyed a life
of love, happiness and personal achievement. Here is a list of his many accomplishments.
1989 Graduated from Life University
1993 Set up Downsview Chiropractic in North York, Ontario
1995 Elected to the Board of Directors, the International Chiropractors Association
as the first International Director. In this position, he represented this organization
at World Health Organization Meetings and World Federation of Chiropractic Meetings
in Geneva, Switzerland, Cape Town, South Africa, and Paris, France.
1998 He hosted the ICA’s Annual Convention and Board Meeting in Toronto,
commemorating the first time this association operated outside the United States.
2000 Chosen as Canadian Chiropractor of the Year by Canadian Chiropractor Magazine.
1995-2001. Served as president of the North York Chiropractic Society, an affiliate
of the Ontario Chiropractic Association
2001 Elected to the Board of Directors, the Ontario Chiropractic Association.
He chaired the Convention Committee and Student Committee and sat on the Membership
Services and Website Development Committees.
Brickman also served as an examiner for the Canadian Chiropractic Examining
Board and he worked as a peer assessor for the Chiropractic College of Ontario.
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