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Show Bsszl 3 cant not understood 1 by new Ms. Wheelchair Utah By MELINDA WILLIAMS Staff Writer W OODS CROSS Mary Lynn Van Hulten has buried the words, I cant, and she wants others with disabilities to do the same. Van Hulten was named Ms. Wheelchair Utah on June 23 and she w ill compete for the national title beginning Aug. 8 in Anaheim. Calif. Van Hulten is a Woods Cross in the native, who was runner-u- p contest last year. She has had multiple sclerosis for 25 years, but it hasnt slowed her down. She and her husband have raised three sons and a daughter and are now enjoying their three grandchildren. She has worked at the Department of Motor Vehicles for 17 years, where she's proud to say she carries her load and fellow employees dont treat her any differently than anyone else. Her outlook on life is to stay positive and not to let a disability, whatever it may be get you down. Dont give up. Dont dwell on self pity. Bury the words I cant. Try to be as positive as you can. Through the years women have lost interest in the Ms. Wheelchair Utah pageant. In 1983 there were to 15 contestants. Last year there were only four, and at this years national contest, only 20 13 a fact states will be represented Van Hulten thinks is a shame. We need a lot more people participating. I know a lot more handicapped women younger than 1 am, she said. She realizes many of these women are tied down with families, but they dont know what an opportunity it is. she said. Shes found nearly all participants have much more poise and after participating in the pageant and if they were self conscious about their disability, they lose that. She tells of participants at last WEBSTER continued from front Webster said she felt inadequate to the position, but Im willing to learn. She said its the first time shes been involved in civic activities, but since she retired from running her own business she has the years national pageant who were invited to a Chubby Checkers concert. They were doing the twist in their wheelchairs with their Army escorts. The winner of the pageant even did the twist with Chubby Checkers himself. The girls in the pageant stole the show. Nobody even noticed they were in wheelchairs, she said. One of the major points Van Hulten wants to make is that people with disabilities are like everybody else. Its very important people know that. People have a habit of looking at us and seeing our disability. Were something more than disabled. As Ms. Wheelchair Utah, Van Hulten wants to spread that word and sees herself as a spokesperson for all with disabilities, not just those in wheelchairs. Ms. Wheelchair Utah is not a beauty pageant. The whole purpose of the pageant is to rid people of stereotypes and get them to see whats inside the person. Its like eating an orange. You dont eat the peel, its whats on the inside thats important, Van Hulten said. The program has three purposes: to conduct an annual competition for women with mobility impairments to select a capable spokeswoman to advocate for all disabled Utahns: to educate the general pub- lic concerning the accomplishments, talents and abilities those with disabilities have to share; and to eliminate the physical and attitu-dinbarriers that limit full and equal opportunities of life for all Utahns. The last area is one which espeal cially concerns Van Hulten. Its true there are fewer physically barriers than in years past. Its better than it used to be, she said, but its still not what it should be. For example, she said she often calls ahead to restaurants to find out if theyre handicapped accessible. Often shes told they are, when theyre not. Not long ago, she and time to devote to the city. She said shes disappointed so many citizens are apathetic about city government. Ive seen elections in communities where a candidate has run unopposed. I feel every office should have at least two candidates running. She also believes more women MARY LYNN VAN HULTEN her family went to a well known Salt Lake restaurant after shed called ahead. When they got to the restaurant, she had to be carried down three stairs. Another problem is found in buildings where there are counters. Van Hulten said often she is able to get around the building, but when she approaches a counter, the counter is set at her forehead level. I like to say were the shadow people. They can push you aside and ignore you. And sometimes public buildings are outfitted with restrooms for the disabled, but the stalls are still not wide enough to maneuver a wheelchair around in and doors are difficult for those in wheelchairs to manage, with no handles on the inside to pull the door shut. Van Hulten says she received 100 percent support from her family and 110 percent from her husband. Her grandchildren dont realize shes handicapped and tug at her arm to come with them. And her friends, accept me just for being me. She hopes to help rebuild the Ms. Wheelchair Utah program this year. should become involved in politics. Women have taken a back seat (in politics), which is understandable when they have jobs and families, but my familys grown now. Im retired and I have the time, she said. She hopes by her serving on the council, other women will become involved. AMONG THE ENTRIES: The Pella Second Ward, from Burley, Idaho has entered five handcarts and a banner in the Bountiful Handcart Parade scheduled Friday at 6:30 p.m. The parade route will follow 100 East from Fi ve Points to 500 South and then go west to Main Street and all the way to park. PARADE continued from front migration and for one of the most remarkable transportation experiments in the history of the western United States. Every part of these five solid oak handcarts used in the parade was made by ten dedicated men who donated over 800 hours of work. More hours were spent by the women of the Pella II Ward in locating authentic costumes and sewing new ones. In the period between 1856 and 1 860 more than three thousand people, pulling their belongings in the carts traveled 1 ,300 miles to their Zion. From these 3,000 some people who crossed the plains more than one hundred years ago have come half a million more men and women who are proud to claim their descent from the Handcart Pioneers. hand-mad- e, two-wheel- Freeway repair continues in area will be diverted to the outside lane and the outside shoulder. A third lane of southbound traffic will be f These diverted to the inside lane of northbound measures will be in effect for the rest of the summer construction season. Motorists are advised to watch for signs and cement barricades. Expect narrow lanes where the cement barricades are in use. Expected completion: late Fall, 1995. Joint repair and concrete slab replacement continues on between Centerville and Farmington. Northbound the inside lane is closed 24 hours a day. Motorists have the middle and outside lanes. In addition, the outside shoulder is available as a third traffic lane. Delays will be reduced if motorists use the shoulder. Southbound Beginning Sunday, July 16, the inside two lanes will be closed. Two lanes of traffic Farmington Festival Days held The annual Farmington Festival 15 was well attended by Farmington residents and many other people from outside the area. The theme for this Days celebration on July years celebration was Stay Friends with Farmington. Long lines of people enjoyed the 45th annual chuck wagon breakfast. They were entertained while they ate and afterwards had a chance to shop at booths set up by local crafts people. Among the interesting booths were Gordon Van Fleets custom woodcrafting, Bits of Joy by Joy Burch whose specialty is custom made pins and Trena Woods-Sabin- art on leather. 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