Utah
Signing through the pandemic: Members of Utah’s Deaf Community share experiences
CENTERVILLE, Utah — As masks mandates proceed to finish throughout the nation, those that have been probably impacted essentially the most are sharing their struggles.
The pandemic make clear many challenges all through Utah communities, however one group was impacted in a different way.
A canine barks and household photos cling on the wall of Alicia and Chris Flygare’s residence in Centerville. The couple has lived within the residence for almost twenty years, shifting in on the day their second baby, a daughter, was born.
The Flygares have rather a lot in frequent, religion and the love of their household, however additionally they communicate the identical language.
“I appreciated that we each had that frequent connection of ASL,” stated Alicia.
That’s essential as a result of the Flygares are deaf.
“I used to be born 5 minutes after my older brother and so they suppose that’s what triggered my cerebral palsy,” stated Alicia. “My deafness was from my lack of oxygen.”
To speak with FOX 13 Information, meteorologist Brek Bolton served as an interpreter and Sariah Stapp with 5 Star Decoding gave Alicia’s voice sound.
Alicia grew up with three brothers and two sisters, none of them who know American Signal Language.
“My twin brother indicators somewhat bit, however not rather a lot,” stated Alicia. “Throughout household time when everybody was talking, I wasn’t in a position to have interaction in that as a result of it was a really large problem for me. I wasn’t in a position to talk.”
Alicia later discovered ASL in highschool, which is now her most well-liked language.
Expertise has opened up Alicia’s world. She sees when the doorbell rings, and cellphone calls are movies calls.
“With a view to talk, I exploit shut captioning on the TV,” stated Alicia. “We now have completely different assets on the market like alarm clocks that use flashing lights, so these flashing lights assist me know the place I must be.”
But, Alicia nonetheless faces challenges each single day as a deaf particular person, and like so many skilled, the pandemic introduced an entire new set of struggles.
Maskers have been one among them, making it unimaginable to learn lips and interpret expressions.
“For me, it was actually difficult simply to to not see half of individuals’s face,” stated Alicia. “I used to be not in a position to catch a number of the language.”
Ordering meals at eating places was tough. Typically Alicia would ask staff to tug their masks down so she may learn their lips, however some individuals weren’t prepared to do this.
The Flygares each work as academics, tutoring deaf youngsters and their dad and mom in ASL, however even that was moved on-line.
“Earlier than we might go to the park and educate the indicators of the objects we have been seeing out locally,” stated Alicia.
It was studying to signal that helped Alicia discover her voice and an internal energy to navigate the challenges of life.
“I used to be happier as I understood my deaf identification,” stated Alicia. “I keep in mind I grew up pondering that I had a extremely had a difficult time studying issues and understanding issues and I believed that that was my fault. I believed it was one thing that was about me till later I noticed it wasn’t my fault.”
This realization helped Alicia settle for herself as a deaf particular person and she or he hopes others will settle for her and the deaf neighborhood.
It’s simply one thing that occurred, and I noticed I needed to let go of that and I may settle for myself as a deaf particular person.
“It actually does require teamwork,” stated Alicia. “It’s a two-way road and that’s the essential half. It’s not a one-way road.”
Alicia prompt cellphone apps to speak with these within the deaf neighborhood, but additionally encourages all to study somewhat little bit of ASL to attach extra personally with those that can’t hear.
State leaders informed FOX 13 Information that they stored the deaf neighborhood in thoughts all through the whole pandemic. Each press briefing had an interpreter from the Division of Workforce Companies, standing to the facet of the speaker, signing.
Wade Mathews, a spokesman for the Utah Division of Emergency Administration, stated it was an enormous focus to verify all communities understood the knowledge they have been publishing.
“That is lifesaving data we’re speaking about that we want to verify all people’s receiving,” stated Mathews. “Whether or not it’s safety motion orders to evacuate or shelter in place or within the case of the pandemic, the right protecting tools, masks, hand washing and hygiene, and social isolation and social distancing — that must be communicated to everybody.”
Press briefings have been interpreted into 33 completely different languages, making Utah one of many States with essentially the most languages.
The new Big 12 may lack national championship contenders, but it could be extremely competitive. That starts with its impressive group of coaches, including three who made my top 10 in the country this spring — Kansas’ Lance Leipold, Utah’s Kyle Whittingham and Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy. Kansas State’s Chris Klieman, Iowa State’s Matt Campbell and new Houston coach Willie Fritz made my list, too.
I could see any of six teams — Utah, Kansas State, Arizona, Oklahoma State, Kansas or Iowa State — winning the league this season, without much separation between them. (And West Virginia and UCF aren’t that far behind). But as I dug deeper into depth charts and schedules this week, I realized one team does stand out above the others.
Big 12 predictions
| Team | Big 12 record | Overall record |
|---|---|---|
|
8-1 |
11-1 |
|
|
7-2 |
10-2 |
|
|
6-3 |
9-3 |
|
|
6-3 |
9-3 |
|
|
6-3 |
9-3 |
|
|
6-3 |
9-3 |
|
|
6-3 |
8-4 |
|
|
5-4 |
7-5 |
|
|
4-5 |
7-5 |
|
|
4-5 |
6-6 |
|
|
3-6 |
5-7 |
|
|
3-6 |
5-7 |
|
|
3-6 |
5-7 |
|
|
2-7 |
5-7 |
|
|
2-7 |
4-8 |
|
|
1-8 |
3-9 |
Few thoughts on top contenders
Utah: Whittingham’s program comes in ready-made to contend for Big 12 titles, starting with the return of two-time Pac-12 champion quarterback Cam Rising after missing all of last season. The defense was solid last year even with a ton of injuries and brings back eight starters. One concern: Will a feature running back will emerge?
Kansas State: Klieman’s team is going to run the ball like mad with star dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson and the backfield tandem of DJ Giddens and Dylan Edwards. That is, if the offensive line successfully retools after losing four starters. The defense should be able to rush the passer but needs to improve against the run.
Arizona: You can never predict how a coaching transition will go, but Brent Brennan walked into a nice situation. Star quarterback Noah Fifita and All-America receiver Tetairoa McMillan return from a 10-win squad. The defense, led by linebacker Jacob Manu, could be sneaky good. There’s only one problem: The team’s games against Utah and K-State are on the road.
Oklahoma State: You won’t find more continuity than with the Cowboys, who bring back both coordinators and 20 starters, including Doak Walker winner Ollie Gordon II, quarterback Alan Bowman and the entire offensive line. But the Cowboys’ defense remains suspect, and they unfortunately drew both Utah and a trip to K-State.
Kansas: Yes, the Jayhawks can win the Big 12, provided quarterback Jalon Daniels remains healthy. Leipold’s offense is brimming with playmakers like running backs Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw Jr. and receivers Lawrence Arnold, Quentin Skinner and Luke Grimm. The defensive front needs to be more disruptive to take the next step.
Iowa State: On paper, this should be Campbell’s best team since the Brock Purdy era. Quarterback Rocco Becht was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, running back Abu Sama III exploded onto the scene late last season, and the defense is brimming with experience. But the schedule looks to be the toughest of my top six teams.
West Virginia: Neal Brown became the rare coach to win his way off the hot seat, going from 5-7 to 9-4. Quarterback Garrett Greene and running back CJ Donaldson should benefit from an experienced offensive line, and the defense gained some nice portal adds. But it’s crowded at the top of the league, and the Mountaineers could get squeezed out.
UCF: UCF was the only one of last year’s four new programs to reach a bowl game and won three of its last four, most notably a 45-3 rout of 10-win Oklahoma State. And that was before adding veteran quarterback KJ Jefferson from Arkansas. While I predicted a modest two-win improvement in conference play, the ceiling may be higher.
Thoughts on other new schools
Arizona State: Kenny Dillingham walked into a doozy of a rebuilding job last season. The Sun Devils finished 3-9 but lost several close games, shut down Michael Penix Jr. and knocked off UCLA (running the swinging gate, no less.) ASU is at least another year away, however, as it develops a quarterback and builds experience on defense.
Colorado: We know Deion Sanders has a quarterback, son Shedeur, a high first-round two-way playmaker in Travis Hunter and proven tailback Dallan Hayden (from Ohio State). But the Buffs underwent significant staff turnover (five new assistants, including defensive coordinator Robert Livingston), and the offensive line will be a huge question mark again.
(Photos of Avery Johnson, left, and Cam Rising: Julio Aguilar, David Becker / Getty Images)
VINEYARD, Utah — One person is dead after carbon monoxide poisoning inside a Vineyard home hospitalized multiple people last week.
Utah County Sheriff’s Office announced that the woman, 24-year-old Angelica Maria Avila Almanza, was on life support and later died Sunday.
Investigators believe Avila Almanza and a man were in the garage and may have been running the car motor so they could use the air conditioning, with all entrances to the garage being closed. The garage itself did not contain a carbon monoxide sensor.
A 27-year-old woman and three young children inside the home were taken to the hospital to be treated and were later released.
Investigators found carbon monoxide sensors inside the apartment which eventually activated.
When those sensors were alarmed, four other occupants had left the apartment to call 911.
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