After spending 30 years as a doctor of chiropractic medicine and 25 as a Christian, John Sharpless is putting both together to go on a mission trip to Cuba.

Sharplessl, who became a chiropractor after serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, has been practicing in this community for 30 years. Now he is taking his skills along with other chiropractors to Cuba to provide care to a country where chiropractic care is a luxury almost no one can afford.

This trip satisfies a long-standing passion for Sharpless.

"I have always wanted to do a trip to help people and actually bring chiropractic to other countries that don't have it," said Sharpless. "That is the goal of the missions group. It is just a humanitarian effort to bring health care to people who don't have a choice."

Sharpless said the mission statement of the group is, "They try to bring the healing power of chiropractic care to other nations."

Much of the work will be devoted to providing help serious medical problems seen in the chiropractic field that are overlooked in countries such as Cuba. They will also teach people proper spinal care. Given the political makeup of Cuba, the group will be demonstrating the love of Jesus, not his teachings.

"We will be performing scoliosis screenings and lessons for these people," said Sharpless. "We are not there to preach to people, but we are there to show we care and love. We aren't allowed to go down the street preaching in Cuba."

Sharpless will be providing screenings and adjustments in Kokomo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, to raise support for the trip. The cost for the treatments will be whatever the person feels like donating.

Visit Sharpless at 1810 Dogwood Drive.