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ADAPT Action Journal
March 22, 2004
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Bob Liston
Montana ADAPT
Mazola, Montana
9 Years with ADAPT
I have just returned to the hotel from our action at the Department of Health and Human Services on Monday, March 22, 2004. Its just before 1:00 pm. I feel like we just finished one of our all day, several mile actions. But then, we were out there for six hours in freezing weather.
ADAPT members were fired up and ready to go by 6:30 am, something we are rarely able to do. These people – my friends, my brothers and sisters, my partners in this fight – never cease to amaze me. We marched a mere 3 blocks in 27-degree weather and a wild chill close to 0. most of us were in the shade which made it feel even colder (I kept thinking it is going to be in the 60’s back in Montana, where I live).
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As I sit here looking at all my colleagues, of all colors all disabilities, most of who have been in some sort of institution or nursing home, I am continually reminded of how important the passage of MiCASSA is to people with disabilities. We need to have consumer control and community based services as mandatory components of Medicaid long term care program. We cannot leave any person behind in this fight for freedom.
I have been to the nursing home and will not go back. This is a personal issue; this is a systemic issue for me. This is basic civil and human rights. This is a no-brainer!
FREE OUR PEOPLE!
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Chris Hilderbrant
Monday morning came early – ADAPT was down and ready at 6 am. Bundled up for a cold morning, ADAPT took a short walk to the Department of Health and Human Services. ADAPT quickly flowed up the curb cut and shut down all of the doors.
At our door, the Blue and Purple groups parked their power wheelchairs against the door. People then got out of their wheelchairs to lie on the mats on the ground. Vladimir Pelkah from Rochester led this charge commenting that it “would be a trip he would never forget.”
Our group was incredible in the face of blustery winds and the darkest coldest section of the building. Our chanting was loud enough that the ADAPT leadership asked us to cool it while they met with HHS and CMS representatives. EXCELLENT DAY! |
Linda Anthony
The sun wasn’t even up, but ADAPT – bundled in scarfs, hats, gloves and ponchos – the ADAPT army rolled out. Just 2 blocks away, unaware f what was headed their way, HHS security calmly started their day. Being at the end of the line again, I had the advantage of watching my friends as they moved in unison and uncharacteristic silence.
When our group arrived on the plaza people were already dismounting. Every door was covered with people, chairs and blankets of white foam, soon occupied by an ADAPT soldier. With little regard for their own comfort, people climbed onto the white foam where they would spend the next 5 hours. Nothing would move them. Neither freezing winds, nor the lack of food made them leave. |
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HHS Employees arrived for work. Other people who had business at HHS arrived only to find: “Business as usual, it ain’t gonna happen.”
The “magic” hour become 9:00 am instead of 4pm. People trying to get in instead of people trying to get out, became the vehicle to negotiations. In solidarity, leadership negotiated until their demand for a meeting in 30 days materialized, along with a meeting today with 15 ADAPT representatives. Today’s meeting will begin the dialogue and set the tone and expectations for the meeting in 30 days.
Shortly after noon, five hours after they arrived, ADAPT gathered on the plaza and listened to “the suit” who runs CMS now, Dennis Smith, read the letter. Despite all the inner turmoil, discomforts and maladies that hit them that day, ADAPT did its job.
Linda Anthony
Keystone ADAPT |
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