EVANSTON — The 19th annual Uinta County Business Leadership Network awards luncheon was held on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Machine Shop in Evanston. Hundreds of community members turned out to recognize individuals with disabilities and the businesses that support them. 

The Evanston luncheon featured a welcome from Evanston Mayor Kent Williams and entertainment provided by LaDonna Howard, Woody Smith, Travis Martinez, Jeff Smith and Squire Meyer. Travis Hogman, UCBLN board member, took a few moments to recognize all of the mentors and mentees who have participated in the program this year. 

UCBLN Executive Director Wanda Rogers took to the stage and announced that, following hours of preparation, she had left her speech back at the office and was just going to “speak from the heart.” She said that the powerful impact of the program was evident through the successes of the mentees and described one father thanking her with tears in his eyes. 

Rogers said, “This is always a touching moment. My favorite part of my job is being here with you today.” 

Award winners this year included two individuals recognized with the Spirit of the BLN Award, Seyed Yadagari and Sue Norman. Rogers said the two were recognized for their exemplary efforts to promote the BLN. 

LaDonna Howard and L.A. Hairport were recognized as the 2017 Mentor of the Year for providing mentoring opportunities and an enhanced learning experience for over 15 years. Aspen Cinemas was honored as the 2017 Employer of the Year for the atmosphere of acceptance and the accommodations and support the Cinemas have offered to individuals with disabilities. 

Finally, William Limb was honored as the 2017 Employee of the Year. Limb was nominated by two individuals who work with him at Smith’s Food and Drug. 

Following the awards and recognition, this year’s keynote speaker Robert Dittman took the stage. Dittman’s speech focused on the unique contributions individuals with disabilities can make, as well as on the mentors throughout his life that helped him reach his goals. 

Dittman lost his sight as a result of his premature birth combined with injuries sustained while wrestling as a child. He said he has never let his disability limit what he can do.

Dittman described joining the Cub Scouts as a child and the scout master telling his father, “We’ve never had a blind scout before, but we’ll figure it out.” He progressed to the Boy Scouts, where he said he “learned confidence and courage and bravery.”

His dream had always been to be in the military, a dream he said he was determined to make a reality. “When the world says you can’t,” said Dittman, “I said, forget that. My dream is to be in the military and I will not give an inch.” 

Motivated by his blindness, Dittman said he became adept at communications, which led to his involvement with the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary and specifically search and rescue operations. Never one to be satisfied, Dittman said he always wanted to do more. 

His ambition and determination earned him a spot as an honorary Marine and then as a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarist. All along the way, Dittman said he met people who were his champions and who helped him surmount the obstacles that arose in his path from those who said his disability would make it impossible. 

“When the world says disability is a disadvantage, that’s not true,” said Dittman. “You just need to find where they can contribute.” 

Dittman became the first blind person to serve on an active duty Coast Guard cutter, and, true to form, then decided he wanted to go to boot camp. He was told boot camp wasn’t required for an Auxiliarist, but he wanted to go and he had people who believed in him. 

He told a tale of arriving at boot camp, and not telling his commanding officers that he was blind until he arrived. He said he was told, “Recruit, I will not allow your disability to become a hindrance to your training or anyone else’s.” 

Some of his peers were concerned that his disability would, in fact, be a hindrance, and there were efforts to break him down and get him to quit. At that point, Dittman said he waited until late one night, in total darkness, and tied his comrades’ shoelaces together and engaged in other mischief that left them all unprepared the next morning. He said no one messed with him again after that. “Blindness is a competitive advantage when dealing with darkness,” said Dittman. He then became the first blind person to complete boot camp. 

His achievements have just continued throughout his life, including attending and graduating from law school and working for the JAG office with the Coast Guard. Dittman said he has been involved in several high-profile cases and events, including Deepwater Horizon and Hurricane Harvey rescue efforts. 

He said that serving his country has been a privilege and he encouraged the audience to contact legislators and share the message that individuals with disabilities should be allowed to serve. “They have something to contribute,” said Dittman. 

He wrapped up his presentation by thanking those in attendance for being the champions of those with disabilities. To the mentees and individuals with disabilities in the audience, he concluded with more words of encouragement. 

“There will be days when it’s going to absolutely stink, but how you handle it is up to you,” said Dittman. “I can’t wait to see the amazing things that you do.”