FACES OF LIFE From Puerto Rico to Life University: A Journey of Passion and Purpose reached out to her mother for support, who, along with her grandfather, drove an hour to rescue her from this troubling situation. This experience solidified Dr. Garcia’s resolve to change her career path. With college application deadlines looming, Dr. Garcia made a bold move. She drove to the admissions office of the University of Puerto Rico, determined to change her application. Initially, she applied for communications, theater or scriptwriting; now, she scratched out these choices and instead opted for biology, physics and chemistry. This shift marked a significant change in direction toward health care — a field that Dr. Garcia had always considered a secondary option but now embraced fully. “And in my second semester, my first year of college, my dad had an accident. He fell from the roof of our house, and his body landed half on concrete, half on soil with a lot of trauma [to his body]. It took three strikes of the established, very core medical system for me to be like, what is this? How is it that you cannot help the person that means the most in my life?” explained Dr. Garcia. It took her cousin, who insisted on taking her father to a chiropractor, to change her world. “That day, my dad came back to the house with a smile. And we hadn’t seen my dad smile in a long time. And I said, ‘Hold up! What was that?’ It’s not a miracle. He’s not walking; he’s not running. He just smiled,” shared Dr. Garcia. “So, I started asking questions, and he kept going back and coming back happier. In a matter of a few months, my dad was going to the bathroom by himself. He started biking and exercising in the mornings. He, my dad, was back. And I said, I want in. Whatever that is, I want in.” This led to her decision to pursue holistic health care, driven by a deep-seated desire to help people. This calling, which had always been present, now took center stage. On the advice of her dad’s chiropractor, whom she also began seeing, Dr. Garcia attended a Life Leadership Weekend with her mother at Life U where she found the perfect environment to nurture this passion. Dr. Garcia is also the owner of Whole Care Chiropractic and Wellness, located in Marietta, Georgia, just a few minutes from campus. She opened in July 2020. For her, it is a joy to help others heal and have fun while they are healing. “We help people stay connected and truly have a system that is without interference and able to adapt. That’s my main goal — is your body able to adapt? It doesn’t matter whatever it is that you’re going through,” explained Dr. Garcia. Today, Dr. Garcia embodies the spirit of resilience and adaptability. Her journey from the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico to the supportive community of Life U is a testament to her determination to make a positive impact on the world. By embracing change and following her heart, Dr. Garcia has carved out a path that aligns with her core values and aspirations. Life University is home to a diverse array of faculty, staff and students, each bringing their unique stories and experiences. Among them is a former student, now a Life U alumna and adjunct professor, Dr. Veronica Garcia Chaparro. Her journey to Life U is both inspiring and reflective of the twists and turns that life can take. Growing up in Puerto Rico, Dr. Garcia was deeply rooted in family values, with a small but close-knit family including her sister, mom, dad and niece, along with a large extended family of cousins, uncles and aunts. This strong family bond has always been a central part of Dr. Garcia’s identity, shaping her values and aspirations. From a young age, she was drawn to the world of communications and scriptwriting. Dr. Garcia’s passion for this field led her to attend a specialized high school that offered courses in collaboration with a university, allowing her to delve into these interests early on. In her senior year, she secured a coveted internship with a pioneering female sports news reporter in Puerto Rico. This reporter was a trailblazer breaking into a male- dominated industry, and as a student, Dr. Garcia saw her as a hero and role model. However, the reality of working in the industry soon clashed with Dr. Garcia’s expectations. During an event coverage at a baseball game — an activity close to her heart given her family’s love for baseball — she witnessed the darker side of the industry. The prevalence of sadness, disease and substance abuse was a harsh wake-up call, leading her to reassess her career aspirations. Faced with this disheartening experience, Dr. Garcia made a pivotal decision. She Dr. Veronica Garcia Chaparro D.C. Alumna, Adjunct Professor for Clinical Sciences “We help people stay connected and truly have a system that is without interference and able to adapt. That’s my main goal.” 41 Alumni.life.edu | 2024
