By Jeff Noble

Voice Editor

Dr. Masja Ott considers herself spoiled this summer.

Because she’s given her time to help folks with their physical problems, the Jackson Chiropractor has been the benefactor of lots of home-grown goodies from the garden.

“I’ve gotten tomatoes, zucchini, cabbage, yellow squash, corn, blackberries, apples, blueberries and broccoli,” said a smiling Dr. Ott at her office Monday afternoon. The head of Appalucky Mission of Integrated Health, Inc. then pointed out Eastern Kentucky’s advantage over her former home. “And when the season’s right, they’ll give me lettuce and spinach, and you know I like a big salad for lunch. You couldn’t grow a big garden at your house in Atlanta. I’m spoiled. Spoiled rotten.”

It’s interesting that fresh-grown food is part of her diet, because the program at Appalucky Mission stresses proper nutrition. It also stresses relaxation, prayer, and treating physical, mental and spiritual needs as parts of a whole. It’s a program that has won Dr. Ott a lot of acclaim - and trust from her patients. “The person I was waiting on when you came in? Well, I was treating his spiritual side. Being a Chiropractor, I basically work on the physical person. And I combine the mental health of that person as well. This is all part of Appalucky Mission.”

It’s also keeping her busy these days, as she presents Bible-based “Purity Workshops” for schools, churches, and organizations in the region. “I had three of them last week. One of the workshops was at Oakdale Christian School. I’ve got three more this weekend,” Dr. Ott noted as she looked at her day planner. Sure enough, two of the seminars will be held at the Jackson Christian Church on College Avenue (one for women, the other one for men); and another workshop at The Happy Church on Quicksand Road.”

She told the Voice those 90-minute workshops are for groups up to 12 in number; they’re are for men ages 13 and up, as well as for women ages 12 and up. It fits right in to the busy lifestyle Dr. Ott enjoys, and it fits the need of those who who heed her advice. “The Purity Workshops combine the mental and the spiritual side of the human condition, and have been quite successful since I’ve conducted them.” People can reach her at 666-5226 for more information, or stop by her office at the corner of College Avenue and Broadway. She also is looking for volunteers to the mission, and they can reach her at P. O. Box 474, Jackson, KY, 41339, if they’d like to help out.

The name “Appalucky” came from combining “Appalachia” and “Kentucky”, noted Dr. Ott. Her first name of Masja (pronounced “MASH’-ah”) shows off her Dutch heritage. “I was born and raised in Holland, and came to the United States when I was 13. I moved to Missouri with my Mother and two siblings, and we ended up in Poplar Bluff (in the Southeast, or “Bootheel” of Missouri). In later years, more of my family would come to America.”

And before she settled down to a big city at first, Dr. Ott lived in Oregon and Tennessee as well. Then it was time to go to Chiropractic School at Life University near Atlanta. That’s when the magnet that was Kentucky began to gradually pull her this way. “I was living in Atlanta, and doing Pre-Med studies. I kept hearing about the need for improving health in the Appalachian region. I got several articles about the medical needs and other issues, and thought this was of prime importance. In 1990, I was determined to come here.”

Masja finished Chiropractic School in 1992, and had a successful practice in Atlanta for four years. But the wheels were spinning for her to come this way, she pointed out. “I did a computer search, and it said Owsley and Breathitt County were the top counties for the service I could provide. At the same time, I found out that long-time Chiropractor Dr. (Franklin J.) Torok was retiring. It was a win-win situation. I came here in 1996. I had no family here, no friends, no acquaintances in this area then.”

She adapted well to Breathitt County.

“That’s the ‘mission’ part of it. God gives me what you need. It was God’s calling to come here, and I’ve loved living in this area ever since day one.” Aside from enjoying the fruits - and the vegetables of area gardens, Dr. Ott’s enjoyed the natural beauty of this region. She says it brings out the “outdoor” in her. “What do I like the most? The mountains. Nature. Walking and riding a bicycle. Conducting exercise classes at City Hall, Monday through Thursday at 5 p.m. (they’re free). Swimming and listening to nature’s creatures.” Two of them - a couple of parakeets named “Sunny” and “Viooltje” - are her sidekicks at her office.

She adores them, and walks next to their cage, singing and talking to her fine feathered friends.

“The bright yellow one is ‘Sunny’, while the other one is ‘Viooltje’, which is Dutch for ‘Pansy’. The bird looks so soft, like a pansy. And pansies are my flowers.”

For someone who hadn’t considered pulling up roots and putting out the welcome mat in one place, Masja considers her time in Jackson to be rewarding - and satisfying. I was in Dr. Torok’s office for eight years. When I left there last year, that had been a Chiropractic office for 51 years.” She moved to her present office on Broadway (where the late Tevis Cole sold television sets and ran the TV cable) in March of last year.

Best of all, she feels like a member of the family. By working a schedule that’s friendly to her, and her patients. By aspiring to add more services in the future like a therapist. And by making the human in all of us complete. In body, in mind, and in soul. It’s why Dr. Masja Ott considers herself lucky to be in Kentucky. A sign in her waiting room reads, “The best way to gain happiness is to think about the happiness of others.”

“That’s a great saying, isn’t it?” Dr. Ott added, after looking at the sign. “That’s my mission in life.”