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SIX DOCTORS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENTS IN ROCHESTER, NY

In Rochester, home to one of the largest deaf populations in the country, it's not surprising to find a doctor who also happens to be deaf working here.

What might be surprising is that Rochester has become home to six deaf doctors, including four physicians, a veterinarian and a dentist. All were deaf as children, and all know sign language.

While no statistics exist on the number of deaf medical doctors in the country, those here say their clan is in the dozens but probably fewer than 100.

Nationally, about 1 percent of a population is deaf, which would equate to 7,367 deaf people in Monroe County, according to the Center for Governmental Research. That doesn't factor in a larger deaf population in Rochester because of NTID and the Rochester School for the Deaf.

Dr. Carolyn Stern, a Brighton physician in private practice, drives a car with "DEAF DOC" personalized license plates, which she says helps educate a few people who seem surprised deaf people can even drive a car, let alone become a doctor.

"People said I couldn't do it. But did I listen? No," Stern said, smiling.

She communicates easily with her patients about 30 percent are deaf by speaking or using sign language. She rarely uses an interpreter. At their first meeting, she tells her patients about her hearing loss.

"I don't think they think of me as deaf," Stern said. "That kind of falls to the wayside as long as communication is happening."

Stern has been, and continues to be, a role model to medical students.

Stern also keeps busy consulting medical groups, associations and agencies about accessible health care. Those visits have taken her as far away as China.

"Because I can't hear, I depend on lip reading for cues to what is being said and thus notice teeth with cavities," said Dr. Christopher Lehfeldt, a dentist who moved to Rochester in 1991. "Dentistry, then, is perfect for me as a career."

 WRAD CEO's Message

I extend to all of you a GREAT holiday season and may the new year bring all of us prosperity and happiness. We will be celebrating our 20th anniversary in 2005. Any ideas to have a nice gathering of old and new friends to celebrate our 20 years of wonderful service and activities? Let us know at wradceo@aol.com and we hope to hear from you before we make plans for an event. I will be heading to New Zealand and Australia and attend the Deaflympics in Melbourne, Australia which will happen between January 5 and 15, 2005. It is a possibility that we will have a WRAD activity in Melbourne and if we do, we will let you know through the WRAD website. We had past WRAD events in Copenhagen, Rome, and other international spots around the world and they were always successful!
We welcome you to help us plan events and activities. Let us know if you want to be on our Committee.
Happy Holidays  and A Very  Happy  New  Year  to  all of you!  Bruce Gross  

Charl de Villiers

We have received word that a deaf man named Charl de Villiers has completed more than 2/3 of his trip around the world in a sailboat by himself and he hopes to accomplish his mission later this month in Texas. Go to the website at www.silentvoyager.com and get more details about his trip including finding out where he is now. We wish him the best of luck to complete his round the world trip in his sailboat. Thanks to Marc Rubin of Texas for the information.

Auckland, New Zealand Deaf Private Tours

Go to the website www.deaftours.co.nz and you will find interesting information about the new tour for deaf and hard of hearing people visiting Auckland, New Zealand. Rates are very reasonable and you will be shown interesting sights. Think about it if you are planning a trip to New Zealand.

Deaf Sports in Australia

The Deaf Sports Organization has a very good website that includes the Deaflympics from January 5-16, 2005. You should visit the website at www.deafsports.org.au if you are planning to go to Australia soon.