Monday, March 5. 2001
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 7
Talking without words
By Amanda Sears
By Amanda Sears
writer@kansan.com
Special to the Kansan
Nathan Chang, Olathe sophomore, holds a photograph of his family in his Ellsworth Hall dorm room. Both of Chang's parents are deaf and he uses a Deaf Telephone Communication Device (TDD) to talk to them in Olathe from his residence. "They'd rather be deaf than able to hear," Chang said, because they have found peace and comfort in the deaf community. Photo by Thad Allender/KANSAN
Nathan Chang, Olathe sophomore, wishes people could hear what his father has to say.
"He's a Renaissance man. He's an amazing man. He knows about art, science, religion, politics. And nobody knows it because they can't talk to him," Nathan said.
Both of Nathan's parents, Teddy and Sandra Chang, are deaf. They cannot read lips and must rely on sign language and interpreters to help them communicate.
For Nathan, sign language comes as natural as English — he signed his first words at age one. Speaking took longer. "It took two years to get me to say a word because I found it pointless," he said. "All I knew was deaf people."
He saw a speech pathologist until he reached sixth grade. He struggled with grammar and writing because sign language relies on visual concepts that do not borrow from English.
Nathan used sign language exclusively at home and at church. A year before his birth, his father founded the Deaf Liberty Baptist Church in Olathe in partnership with a deaf friend. Deaf Liberty's congregation does not sing or read Bible passages aloud — the entire service is conducted in sign language. Nathan is the oldest hearing member of the congregation.
"Dad and other deaf people were oppressed and discriminated against in regular churches," he said. "The congregations excluded them because they supposedly couldn't do anything but read the Bible."
Deafness is also a normal part of life for Ann Curry, Lawrence graduate student. Her daughter, Margret, 11, was born deaf after her mother contracted cytomegalio virus during her pregnancy. Cytomegalo virus is commonly found in adults. It is estimated that 80 percent of the adult population carries sigms of the virus.
Margret's deafness inspired Ann to pursue a career in deaf education. She plans to graduate in May with dual master's degrees in deaf education and early childhood development.
It also led her to her husband,
Jason Curry, They met at the Midwest Regional Conference for the Deaf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at which he was a featured speaker. Ann had attended to learn about deaf school programs in which Margaret could participate.
For Ann, functioning in a deaf family takes work, patience and careful communication. Nightly family dinner is a standard rule. A typical meal engages all family members in a conversation through signing, speaking, and reading lips.
"I know we've come this far because we communicate so well," she said.
Other normal tasks such as going to the doctor and attending church can present problems as well because an interpreter is necessary.
Both Ann and Nathan have perceived discrimination against their deaf family members not just from strangers, but also within their families.
"Grandpa tells me to take care of my parents," Nathan said. "But they can take care of themselves."
Ann's and Jason's extended families do not know sign language, forcing Ann into the role of an interpreter.
"My siblings and family tend to
feel uncomfortable around us at times and can't get past the awkwardness of their language inabilities," she said. "It makes them the ones with the disability."
Misunderstanding and discrimination have forced the Currys and the Changs into very different roles in the deaf community.
Although a number of deaf residents live in Lawrence, Ann does not consider them a cohesive group. Ann's and Jason's academic pursuits have come before any activism in deaf organizations.
"That is a sacrifice we choose," she said. "For us, it's fine because we're often from different backgrounds educationally than most typical members of the deaf community. As you can guess, college is a rare characteristic for most deaf individuals as they struggle with the English language."
Nathan's parents, on the other hand, have knitted themselves into Olathe's deaf community by introducing themselves when they encounter other deaf strangers. Because the Kansas School for the Deaf is in Olathe, the area has an especially active deaf population. Nathan's church has 70 members who form a tight community.
- Edited by Sydney Wallace
Meningitis vaccine costly
Kansan staff writer
Mary Beth Brutton, communication specialist for Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance, said her company covered the cost of the meningitis vaccine.
At $65, a vaccine that helps prevent meningococcal meningitis could be costly enough to discourage students from protecting themselves — but some insurance companies offer coverage.
"The immunization is covered by those who need it." she said. "It depends on an individual's health plan, but most have immunizations covered."
Randall Rock, physician at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said the vaccine was recommended, especially for students in residence halls.
Rock said approximately 400 students were vaccinated in the last year.
"The vaccine lasts three to five years," he said. "After three to five years most people are out of the high-risk setting."
MENINGITIS FACTS
Meningitis afflicts about 3,000 Americans annually, including about 200 on college campus
- Walkins Memorial Health Center vaccinated about 400 KU students against meningitis last year.
Viral meningitis is not fatal, but bacterial meningitis causes death
Viral meningitis is not fatal, but bacterial meningitis causes death
Rock said although the disease was rare, affecting only 3,000 people annually — 300 on college campuses — it was important to educate students about meningitis.
To prevent meningitis, avoid sharing food, drinks and ciga
Meningitis is an inflammation of the brain and the tissues surrounding it. It is caused by a bacteria or a virus.
"It is important for people to understand that appropriate precautions can be taken," he said. "This information is not meant to create unnecessary anxiety."
Source: Watkins Memorial Health Center
Ballroom dance club kicks heels invites students to waltz along
Barbra Schnitker, Lawrence director of nursing for the Douglas County Health Department, said no current meningitis cases were reported in Douglas County.
Rock said symptoms included a stiff neck, high fever, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes and severe headaches.
Erica Brittain, Wichita sophomore, said she was vaccinated after a 4-year-old boy who attended child care at the Dole Human Development Center died last semester of bacterial meningitis.
Rock said there were two types of meningitis, bacterial and viral. The two types have the same symptoms but are different in severity.
He said bacterial meningitis had a more rapid and aggressive course, and 10 to 15 percent of people infected died from it.
Viral meningitis is the less-severe of the two. Rock said that type rarely was life-threatening and had no vaccinations to counter it.
"It is better to pay money to get a shot because there is a chance of someone dying when they contract the virus," she said.
By Michelle Ward writer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
— Edited by Leita Schultes
The art of ballroom dancing may seem lost to a generation hooked on MTV. The precise and formal movements may look stodgy in comparison to the improvisation of the club dance scene.
However, people still learn the steps to the tango and waltz, and find enjoyment in ballroom dancing.
And some of those people are part of the KU Ballroom Dancing Club. All those interested in kicking up their heels can do so weekly during swing and ballroom nights at The Flamingo Dance Academy, 106 N.Park.
"It's fun and usually more organized than club dancing," said Morgan McColloch, treasurer of the dance club and a Manhattan senior. "Learning a few steps makes you more confident on the dance floor. Dancing as a couple is more personal than just dancing next to someone in a club."
McColloch, who said he had always wanted to learn to dance, started learning steps as a freshman.
He said he enjoyed his time on the floor — he could meet and talk with new people as they spun around the University of Kansas Ballroom on the fifth floor of the Kansas Union.
He even benefited from his dance experience when he traveled to Japan in a study abroad program. McCollough joined a club and found more than he bargained for with the practice schedule.
Another avid dancer, Michiko Ito, joins the group every Sunday at the Union. Ito, a University librarian in Japanese studies, helps the group by advising them on their steps.
The Japanese dancers worked on their moves for 21/2 hours a day, three times a week. The simple repetition improved his dancing. McCollough said.
The dances are taught primarily by students, who also benefit from Ito's expertise, which she learned from her days of ballroom dancing in Japan.
It said it was difficult to watch students not live up to their full potential.
"It's hard because there is no chance for competition," Ito said. "There is a lack of motivation for students. They don't understand they can be better."
For those tempted by such a style of dancing, there are opportunities to learn and put skills to use.
The Flamingo Dance Academy, 106 N. Park St. W., offers a swing night every Sunday. Friday evenings are dedicated to ballroom dancing.
The club will travel to the St. Louis Star Ball next weekend to watch professionals and amateurs compete. The trip is open to all, as are the club's meetings from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. every Sunday afternoon.
During the next few weeks, the club will be teaching the Lindy Hop. Couples or individuals are invited to attend.
— Edited by Leita Schultes
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