ADAPT remembers those lost in nursing homes.
 (WASHINGTON DC; March 21, 2004) “I’m here for Herb Teak,” said Jennifer McPhail of Austin Texas. “I helped him out of a nursing home in 1996. When he left, all he had was the clothes on his back. The administration at the home said ‘you’ll be back in a couple of weeks.’ But a year after Herb left, it was the nursing home that was closed down because they beat someone to death.”
Jennifer spoke at a rally on the While House Ellipse at the end of a long cold march across Washington DC. Five-hundred ADAPT activists gathered in the evening to remember why Medicaid reform is so important and to show the Bush administration, warm and secure within the White House, that people with disabilities demand NO MORE STOLEN LIVES.
ADAPT activists came to town to demand Congressional Hearings on MiCASSA and The Money Follows the Person Act (S. 971; HR 2032 and S 1394). ADAPT and 700 other organizations support these bills want Grassley and Baucus to hold hearings and move the bills to the Senate floor.
Johnny Crescendo began the rally singing his song “José” about bureaucrats passing the buck and denying responsibility. From the social worker to the President, Jose’s life is forgotten and humanity ignored.
The White House was the backdrop for the rally. On the clear and cold night, the US President’s residence stood out across the Ellipse where ADAPT members told of there experience in nursing homes.
“When you live in an institution you don’t do anything,” said Anita Cameron of Denver. “ People get the mistaken idea that you get twenty-four hour care, but that is not true.”
John Gladstone, facing the Washington Monument, said, “we have to end this Nursing Home fiasco.” John is an escapee of the nursing home himself, and told of personal acquaintances of his that no longer valued their lives in the nursing home.
 Ben Barrett found himself facing life in a nursing home simply because he did not have a ramp into his home. He took charge and with the help of friends, built the ramp to avoid institutionalization.
“If you think someone else is going to do it for you,” said Ben, “this is your wake up call.”
ADAPT began the memorial march a dusk, chanting as the long-line of activists wound its way through the Capitol. The Police escort blocked traffic on the major thoroughfares and ADAPT members were treated to the sunset behind the Washington Monument.
-Tim Wheat
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