Thread: scared of being picked up

Hello from Ontario! As I said when I introduced myself in another post, we adopted a Maine Coon a month ago. She is a delight, but does have behaviour issues we would like to work with her. We can finally pet her and brush her, and she comes to us once in a while. She has her own room, but is free to roam the house.She had been in a cage at the humane society for several months.
Our issues where would would need advice are these;
1) She does not let her be picked up. She goes crazy as soon as your hands get close to her stomach. And if I gently pick her up to be groomed, she gets really scared and wants to be put down.
2) Nobody can touch her paws. She is really unconfortable with that.
Opinions in my family vary...I think she was wild (no info on background) or neglected (very thin and protective of her food). My husband thinks she was thrown and hit (she is also scared of feet). Any advices on steps on making her at least calmer on these issues? She is a wonderful cat, and I love her very much.But trips to the vet are difficult, and she wants to be on our laps; she comes and pushes my hand to be petted now. But something blocks her from lettting go....Help?