ADAPT Action Reports

thumbnails are linked to higher resolution photos The Fun Run passes the north west turn in Upper Senate Park. ADAPT Activist on the Fun Run. Rochester ADAPT had a large showing at the Fun Run. Bob Liston and Marsha Katz. Mark Johnson and Jim Ward. ADAPT activists in the Fun Run. ADAPT activists in the Fun Run. The south east turn with the Capitol building in the background. Beautiful day in Upper Senate Park looking north. Upper Senate Park looking at the Capitol. The Fun Run in the shadow of the Capitol. Stephanie Auberger with the Capitol building in the background. Cassie James and Babs Johnson with the Capitol building in the background. Jim Ward, Marsha Katz and Yoshiko Dart. Michelle Steger signals 10 laps. Dan and Jeff. Chris Hildebrandt with the Capitol building in the background.

The ADAPT Community's Fun Run

Purpose in fun and fundraising

ADAPT Action Report: Sunday, April 29, 2007.

By Tim Wheat

Mark Johnson. (WASHINGTON DC) It was a perfect day in the Upper Senate Park for the ADAPT Fun Run for Disability Rights. The event is unique in ADAPT history, a fundraiser on the first day of the National ADAPT Action to raise money for the important grassroots direct action of ADAPT. Each local chapter of the ADAPT Community is constantly involved in fundraising for local and national advocacy. The organization as a whole included the fun run to recognize the important role that fundraising has become in the success of truly grassroots work.

The fun and fundraising were different, but the goal of getting the Community Choice Act (S 799 and HR 1621) passed by the US Congress is ADAPT's objective. All of the money is used to subsidize expenses to get ADAPT activists to the action. Many ADAPT members have spent years in institutions, isolated from the community and job opportunities, the subsidy is essential to get the real grassroots message of people with disabilities to lawmakers that may have no interaction with the disability community.

"I think it is an amazing day and a great turnout," said Andy Imparato the Executive Director of the American Association of People with Disabilities, "so what's not to love?"

The morning was used for training and organizing, but at noon, ADAPT split into smaller groups to make their way to Upper Senate Park for the event. The detail on the massive marble buildings stand-out in the bright sunlight as the shadows cut distinct lines in the elaborate structures. From Upper Senate Park, the Capitol dome is a powerful reminder that the Fun Run for Disability Rights has the ultimate purpose to change the direction of the national Medicaid policy.

Johnny jokes with the Fun Runners.Mark Johnson of Georgia, this year's Henry Betts Award winner, was the national runner. The Betts award annually honors an individual whose work and scope of influence have significantly improved the quality of life for people with disabilities in the past, and will be a force for change in the future. Mark pledged $5,000.00 of his Betts award money to match pledges of people from around the country.

Johnny Crescendo was the event DJ, selecting music for the Fun Runners, while Bob Kafka did most of the "master of ceremony" work. They were a great team keeping people's energy level up and motivating Bunny McLaude to do one hundred laps.

"The Fun Run for Disability Rights is a way that disability rights activists can raise bucks for both national and their local chapters," said Bob Kafka.

The open grassy area of Upper Senate Park acted as the infield and the concrete walkway around was the approximately quarter-mile track. Large deep green trees lined the path, providing welcome shade to the runners. The Fun Run was organized so that not everyone was on the track at the same time, yet hundreds ran and finished throughout the afternoon.

"I'm here with the ADA Watch and the National Coalition for Disability Rights," said Jim Ward, Executive Director of the ADA Watch who is on a year-long national tour call ‘Road to Freedom,' "we came in to support ADAPT and support freeing our people."

Announced last week, the Democratic National Committee is a sponsor of the Fun Run for Disability Rights. The other sponsors are: Centene Corporation; Liberty Resources, Inc.; tri-County Patriots for Independent Living; AmeriGroup Foundation; Mark Johnson; Topeka Independent Living Resource Center; Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville, P.C.; Acumen Accent; Cornell Pharmacy; Holiday Inn Capitol; Janine Bertram Kemp and Tom Olin; Personal Assistance Services of Colorado; Alpha One; The Ability Center of Greater Toledo; American Association of People with Disabilities; Castro Enterprises-McDonald's in El Paso; Sovereign Bank; and Yoshiko Dart.

Donations to the Fun Run for Disability Rights are still being accepted by mail at:

The ADAPT Community, 1339 Lamar Square Drive, #101,
Austin, Texas, 78704.