Anita Buel

2005

Anita Buel

Deaf Community Health Workers

Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, United States

Community Improvement & Economic Development

The Bold Idea:

Empowering deaf people in Minnesota through outreach, health education, and advocacy

Deaf Community Health Workers will provide the bridge that enables Deaf people in Minnesota to have access to health information in their language, understand their health issues, and feel empowered to promote health and wellness in their community.

Biography:

As a breast cancer survivor, Anita benefited from her unique life experiences and the sometimes frightening, life-threatening lessons learned while trying to navigate the hearing medical system. She believes that Deaf CHWs are key to reducing health disparities, empowering individuals to actively participate in improving their health and inspiring younger Deaf people to explore entering the field of health care.

Moment of Obligation: when and why did you decide to start your organization?
The idea of a project like this has been my desire since I was a young adult. A few years ago I had the opportunity to become a hospice volunteer where I met other people who shared similar dreams. This experience reignited my desire to do whatever I could to change healthcare services for Deaf people. I learned about the role of Community Health Workers for other cultural groups in bringing healthcare services and information to people in their communities. It was then that I knew the path I wanted to take to change the healthcare experience for people in my community.

Who do you look up to and why?
There are several people who are important to me and bring a sense of harmony to my life. However, I especially admired my mother. As a hearing person, my mother was my communicator throughout my early years, working with me daily on speech and English. I admired her patience and her strength but most of all I learned from her how laughter and joy can sometimes be the best medicine for life's daily struggles.

A snapshot in ten years: What is your dream of what's happening? What impact has your organization had?
Healthcare professionals and the Deaf community are more interconnected than ever before. The value of Deaf Community Health Workers is recognized by healthcare providers, and Deaf people in Minnesota are healthier because they are better able to advocate for themselves and make more informed healthcare decisions. In ten years, Community Health Worker programs will be the fastest growing entry-level health career for Deaf people.

What's in my CD player?
I just checked - mostly dust, my kids (hearing) are grown-up and married.

What are a few books recommendations (pleasure, work and anything in between)?
A Journey into a Deaf World by Harlene Lane and Ben Bahan, The Mask of Benevolence by Harlene Lane, On Wings of the Dawn by Sharon Callister (a devotional book for women experiencing breast cancer and their supporters).

What websites do you go to often (work and personal)?

• www.flylady.com
• www.deafnations.com
• www.deafdigest.com

Quick piece of advice for people starting social change organizations:
Patience, humility, take time for staying healthy including exercise, good food, good friends, and family.