Sunday, April 1, 2012

Undeterred, Adam Vail looks to next challenge

His life has been one of hardships and unexpected challenges. Despite these experiences, Adam Vail is still striving to make a difference.

And none of that has changed now that the 33-year-old Utah State University student — a married father of five — has failed to win the student government presidency.

“I’ll be completely honest, I did not expect to lose,” Vail said. “I was very confident. But you know sometimes things happen that cause you to re-evaluate and just maybe focus a little more on your current situation. What we’re currently doing is what’s best for our family.”

Family hardship is not a new thing for the Vail family.

While living in Mesa, Ariz., Vail’s three-month-old daughter suffered a stroke. At the time, Vail’s boss took him and his family off of the company insurance plan. That was when he decided he needed to go back to school.

Shortly after beginning his studies at Utah State University, Vail’s family would face another unexpected challenge. His mother suffered two strokes that left her partially paralyzed and unable to speak.

He and his family stepped in to help. Adam picked up another job so he and his family could welcome his mother into their home, see to her needs and even cover her medical expenses — she had no insurance at the time.

“It’s taught our kids so much about caring for others and service,” said Tiffany Vail, Adam’s wife. “So that’s been great, but family encompasses so much more than the five kids at home and the mother-in-law -- it encompasses all the people we take care of.”

Despite these personal challenges, the Vails have still made time to serve others.

Tyler Tolson, Adam Vail’s friend and a former president of ASUSU, has seen the type of service his friend has rendered.

“He once had a neighbor who was an older gentleman who was going through physical therapy and his insurance cut out. His therapy was going to cost him a few hundred bucks,” Tolson said. “So what did Adam do? He went over and learned from the therapist how to give the gentleman the therapy. So for the man’s remaining days, every morning at 6 a.m., he’d go over and give him the therapy.”

“I just think that it’s the type of commitment that he gives to people in general,” Tolson said. “That’s the type of man that Adam is.”

Undaunted that he failed to win in this year’s elections, Vail, an exercise science major with aspirations for medical school, is considering running again next year.

“Next year is a long ways away. So a lot can happen in a year as to whether we would run again or not,” Vail said. “I am passionate about this university and I am passionate about making a change in people’s lives.”

Jessica Jolley, Victoria Hepworth, Parker Jeppesen, Katie Carter, Adison Pace, Julia Stock, Joe Bagnes, and Matthew Skabelund contributed to this article.

Blind USU student fights to make USU better for all

For the past five years, 28-year-old Chad Floyd, a student at Utah State University, has been a regular at Swing Dancing Wednesdays at Cache Valley Fun Park.

But among those packed into the dance hall, Floyd is unique: He has been legally blind since he was four.

For more than 20 years, Floyd has been adapting to his disability in everything he does — from swing dancing to his involvement at USU. Even though his life may be difficult at times, he said, he has never let his visual impairment discourage him.

Chris Axtell started swing dancing with Floyd after volunteering as an assistant through a program facilitated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Floyd’s challenges aren’t limited to his blindness, Axtell said.

“He has replaced his liver, removed his gall bladder and has lots of health problems—plus he is blind, but that doesn’t stop him,” Axtell said. “He does things just like people with sight. It's incredible.”

When people first see that he is blind, Floyd said, they are often skeptical about his abilities.

"I just go out there and dance with them and have fun,” Floyd said. “Not to brag, but most of them tell me I’m really good.”

USU student Grey Homack supports that claim.

“And I have to admit he is quite the ladies’ man too,” Homack said.

Regardless of whether Floyd is on or off the dance floor, he said he has become comfortable with his disability.

According to Floyd, he is hoping to make USU a place where disabled people can engage in programs and activities with a higher level of independence and also become comfortable with their disabilities.

Mary Whyte, arts senator at USU, has known Floyd since April of last year when he joined the Arts Council. According to Whyte, Floyd is working on making a more broad range of art programs more disability friendly. Right now it is just in the approval stage.

Floyd’s proposed project is aimed to make performances in the theater and concert hall more applicable to the hearing and visually impaired, as well as improvements in the art museum.

“I feel that we can do a better job at making those with disabilities more comfortable attending programs done by the arts,” Floyd said.