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Show Awareness 2 Why? The United States is only two hundred years old, and much of that time has necessarily been pioneering. When an area must be concerned about housing, water, food and transportation, sociological needs must take a back seat. Now it's time to cope with complex human needs. Handicappeds are probably the largest and growing minority group. Yet they have fewer rights than vocal racial minority groups. One out of every six individuals is, or will be handicapped during his lifetime, due to the escalating accident rate, geriatrics, and disabling diseases such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Nancy says: "Even after you overcome the intial trauma of becoming disabled, and you decide you want to re-enter society, the whole world piles up boulders before you in the form of inaccessible buildings, no transportation, no parking, no restroom facilities. It's easier to stay home and not fight it. But fighting it is the only way we'll be heard." In January of 1976 an organization was born-the Utah Association for Motor Physical Disabilities. Dan is the president, with Barbara Toomer vice president, Kathy Garcia secretary and Tom Robinson treasurer. Dan explains, "Attempts at organizing the handicapped in Utah haven't been successful." But the enthusiasm of this group is contagious. Telephone contact brought a total of twenty-five in wheelchairs to the first meeting held at the University of Utah. Eleven able-bodied associate members were included. The second meeting doubled. "We'll expand until we include all the motor disabled individuals in the state. The Mentally Retarded and Blind have their own organizations. We'll meet our specific objectives one at a time." |
