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Deaf doctor gives back to community volunteering during 'Silent Coffee' - Breaking News, Local News, Local Weather, Local Sports
Becoming a doctor is difficult enough, but becoming a doctor when deaf is a whole other ball game.
Sue Harnly is the owner of the Eugene Coffee Company. She is also a patient at PeaceHealth Medical Group where she sees Doctor Sharon Meyers. She describes Meyers as a very friendly, personable and professional doctor. What is most unique about her is that Meyers is deaf.
“I just wanted to do better,” Meyers said.
Meyers is so popular that she has been nominated twice by her colleagues as Eugene Weekly’s best doctor.
“I think it’s because I’m attractive,” she laughed.
Being deaf, Meyers has to pay much more attention to detail; it’s something Harnly says is a plus.
“Because I can’t hear, I have to watch what they’re saying. I can’t be taking notes or on the computer while I do that,” Meyers said.
Instead, Meyers listens to her patient and jots notes later. This allows her to pay much more attention to what the patient is experiencing.
Meyers has also decided to give back to the community by volunteering at Harnly’s coffee shop. She helps run an event called “Silent Coffee.”
“It’s a night where people come in and use sign language and they can learn sign language,” Meyers said.
According to Harnly, Meyers was one of the fastest learners she has had behind the counter.
“She is so fun to work with,” Harnly said.
Silent Coffee allows those with and without hearing to communicate and better understand one another. No one talks.
Saturday is also International Day for Persons with Disabilities. It honors those who are disabled, blind, deaf and more.
“Impaired hearing is an invisible disability, though. You can’t see it,” said Meyers.
For those who are blind, she described, one can see the cane. For those who are disabled, they might be in a wheelchair. It’s hard to tell sometimes if someone is hearing impaired.
Meyers said she hopes she can be a mentor for others with impairments that they can do anything they want, including becoming a doctor.
“We all have to work together. We all need to communicate with each other,” she said. “I think it’s especially important for me as a deaf person to show that deaf people can be professionals and do things that hearing people can do.”
“Silent Coffee” is at the Eugene Coffee Company every first Friday of the month. It is from 7 until 9. Everyone – those with and without hearing – is welcome.
Becoming a doctor is difficult enough, but becoming a doctor when deaf is a whole other ball game.
Sue Harnly is the owner of the Eugene Coffee Company. She is also a patient at PeaceHealth Medical Group where she sees Doctor Sharon Meyers. She describes Meyers as a very friendly, personable and professional doctor. What is most unique about her is that Meyers is deaf.
“I just wanted to do better,” Meyers said.
Meyers is so popular that she has been nominated twice by her colleagues as Eugene Weekly’s best doctor.
“I think it’s because I’m attractive,” she laughed.
Being deaf, Meyers has to pay much more attention to detail; it’s something Harnly says is a plus.
“Because I can’t hear, I have to watch what they’re saying. I can’t be taking notes or on the computer while I do that,” Meyers said.
Instead, Meyers listens to her patient and jots notes later. This allows her to pay much more attention to what the patient is experiencing.
Meyers has also decided to give back to the community by volunteering at Harnly’s coffee shop. She helps run an event called “Silent Coffee.”
“It’s a night where people come in and use sign language and they can learn sign language,” Meyers said.
According to Harnly, Meyers was one of the fastest learners she has had behind the counter.
“She is so fun to work with,” Harnly said.
Silent Coffee allows those with and without hearing to communicate and better understand one another. No one talks.
Saturday is also International Day for Persons with Disabilities. It honors those who are disabled, blind, deaf and more.
“Impaired hearing is an invisible disability, though. You can’t see it,” said Meyers.
For those who are blind, she described, one can see the cane. For those who are disabled, they might be in a wheelchair. It’s hard to tell sometimes if someone is hearing impaired.
Meyers said she hopes she can be a mentor for others with impairments that they can do anything they want, including becoming a doctor.
“We all have to work together. We all need to communicate with each other,” she said. “I think it’s especially important for me as a deaf person to show that deaf people can be professionals and do things that hearing people can do.”
“Silent Coffee” is at the Eugene Coffee Company every first Friday of the month. It is from 7 until 9. Everyone – those with and without hearing – is welcome.
