Physical disabilities are not holding one woman down. As a matter of fact she was recently crowned 2008 Miss Iowa USA.

As a former Easter Seals recipient Miss Iowa came to inspire hundreds of volunteers.

The Kewanee native is providing hope to children with disabilities.

In East Peoria today, 20-year-old Abbey Curran said she didn't let her cerebral palsy stop her from becoming Miss Iowa 2008. She's hoping her accomplishment will show others there is nothing you can't do.

Easter Seals volunteer Pete Mangieri said, "Quite frankly to have a Miss Iowa and potentially a Miss USA with cerebral palsy just blows my mind."

"My quote that I live by is Walt Disney if you dream it you can do it and so I truly believe that," said Curran.

Before her crowning Abbey Curran put on her own pageant.

"I started the Miss You Can Do It pageant so not just girls but people in general would get out there and take risk and learn it's okay and you'll never know unless you try."

2007 Miss You Can Do It winner eight-year-old Samantha Fox, who also suffers from cerebral palsy, is just happy to be in the same room as Curran.

"It was really exciting to see her and that she accomplished stuff," said Fox.

At the Easter Seals campaign kickoff luncheon, Mangieri says seeing what the organization has done for these two girls and so many other children is why he and other volunteers give their time.

"It's just kind of heartwarming and I'm a passionate guy that's why I'm involved in Easter Seals and I think that's why there are 360 people here today."

"I hope that I can encourage others not just people with cerebral palsy but anyone to step outside the box to step up to the plate and always swing the bat because you don't know unless you try," said Curran.

Easter Seals is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing services for children with disabilities.