CASA Student of the Month for October 2021

OCTOBER 2021

Good day, I am Adrianne Lees-Smith, and I am currently a sixth-year
student at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), heading into my last
few weeks of my chiropractic degree.

Firstly, I would like to thank CASA for selecting me as the student
member of the month for October 2021 and giving me the opportunity
to share my story.

I grew up in the East Rand and attended Boksburg High School,
matriculating in 2013. The human body has always fascinated me.
I knew from an early age that I wanted to do something in the health
care system however, I was not hundred percent sure which path I
wanted to take.

I have always been sporty in nature, trying every sport I could inside
and outside of school. My love for dancing, athletics, netball, and
swimming demanded a lot from my body physically and mentally. In
April 2012, my world was turned upside down when I suffered an ACL rupture of my left knee during
a netball practice. From being physically active every single day to a full leg brace and crutches
bound, this was heart breaking. This led me to interact with orthopaedic specialists, physiotherapists
and biokineticists. After my ACL reconstructive surgery, it was a long road to recovery, but I was
determined to do everything I needed to do in order to get back on the sports field. After my ACL
injury, I thought of how I would love to be in the position to have the right tools to help athletes like
myself excel in the sports they have a passion for as well as to prevent injuries and live a functional
life. This led me to apply for various health science degree’s in my matric year, hoping to get
accepted into a degree where I could make a difference in peoples lives.

My journey in the health care industry started off with me studying at eta College in Pretoria where
I obtained my Fitness and Exercise Specialist Diploma as well as my Sports Massage qualification.
However, I still wanted to do more. Through my two years of studying at eta, I was exposed to
chiropractic. This opened my eyes of how my passion to help others and fascination of the human
body could be combined on a higher level to truly make an impact in peoples lives. I decided to
apply for chiropractic and got accepted to start my first year in 2016.

Studying this master’s degree has had many
bumps in the road however, it has showed me
the importance of finding a balance in life.
Through my six years of studying chiropractic,
I have been able to work part-time, train and
compete on an elite athlete level in CrossFit and
still make time for my family and friends.
Since the beginning of my chiropractic
journey, I realised the importance of interacting
and networking with my peer’s and other
chiropractor’s.

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OCTOBER 2021

During my second year, I joined the World Congress of Chiropractic
(WCCS), where we debated on different chiropractic related topics,
took part in charity events, and spread the word about chiropractic.
At the end of my third year in 2018, I was elected as the events
co-ordinator of the Student Chiropractic Association of Gauteng
(SCAG), where I had the privilege of organising student events,
first year orientation week. This position really allowed me to get
creative, improve my leadership skills and make sure that all the
different years of students interacted with each other to create that
family bond within our course. I was elected as the Chiropractic
Student Council (CSC) chairperson at the end of my fifth year
in 2020. This position taught me a lot about time management,
planning, organising and leadership.

I had the honour of working along side Dr Yelverton, who truly trusted
me and allowed me to take control of major events such as World
Spine Day, first year orientation, class representative meetings, oath
taking and being a student member on the panel for the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic
(AECC) reaccreditation virtual visit. I am extremely goal driven, disciplined, motivated, determined,
and enthusiastic with everything I put my mind to. Having the opportunity to treat patients at the UJ
Chiropractic Clinic has helped me develop and grow into the chiropractor I want to be. I am grateful
for the skills and knowledge I have obtained withing practicing in the clinic, which has only fuelled
my fire to be the best Doctor I can be and impact the lives that cross my path.

As my road of studying at UJ is ending, I know I have chosen the correct career path. I am excited to
make a difference and educate as many individuals as possible about the benefits that chiropractic
has to offer in order for them to optimise their well-being.

Lastly, I would like to thank CASA for their constant support and efforts to ensure the growth of the
chiropractic profession.

Sincerely,
Adrianne Lees-Smith

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