ADAPT Report from Chicago

by Scott Heinzman

On the Backs of Giants

The struggle continues and we’re winning. But a world where people have
real choices in where they receive long term care services has yet to
become reality. It’s up to us to roll up our sleeves, slog through the
crap, and create this reality.

Are you in?

The ADAPT fall national action ended last week. Eight members of
Michigan ADAPT took part. We learned about some of the issues
surrounding the lack of affordable, accessible housing. There was
testimony about the incredible demand for such housing. We heard
personal stories as to how a place to live is akin to being a free person.

HUD representatives were there. They tell us we’re preaching to the
choir. We know HUD can do more. It’s up to us to… motivate them.

Then we paid a visit to the American Medical Association (AMA)
headquarters. We demanded they formally support the Community Choice
Act. We demanded they create a public disclosure of conflict of interest
by members (doctors) who have money invested in any institution. And as
always, we demanded their leadership meet with ADAPT.

They refused and the local police, who were excellent professionals, had
to arrest many of us to vacate the premises.

Next we visited the high rise that contained Chicago office of the
Governor of Illinois, which happened to have a shopping mall and subway
access at ground level. We made ourselves inconvenient until the good
Governor agreed to meet with ADAPT with a meeting date and time in
writing. These types could always make it easier on all involved if
they’d simply honor our conventional request rather than ignoring us or
putting us off with empty promises. We secured this meeting the hard
way. So be it.

What really incites us is the good Governor committed to closing an
horrible institution and now is reneging by sanction funds to renovate
this hell hole.

Lastly we visited the Chicago AFSCME branch (American Federation of
State, County and Municipal Employees). These clowns took the cake! Our
demands were for this branch to send a fax to the national AFSCME saying
we were their and wanted him to uphold his commitment to support the
Community Choice Act. Instead, they stalled and presented us with a
letter for our leadership to sign stating ADAPT supports both community
long term care AND nursing homes. Can you believe this? Of course, our
leaders declined. From here on we were stonewalled. Police got the order
to… disperse us. Some 120 of us ended up arrested.

Now we work here at home.

For those of you wondering about the first line, let me elaborate. It’s
been over 4 1/2 years since I last attended an ADAPT national action. My
first was in 1994. There were plenty of old friends attending and many
new faces. I was reminded of what inspires and humbles me about this
conglomeration of amazing people. Perhaps I’m politically incorrect
here, but I am in awe when I see the extent of the disabling
characteristics out in the streets, day after day, doing grueling work.
These are people with trach tubes, oxygen, severe speech impairments,
flimsy manual wheelchairs mobile by pushing off one leg going backwards,
inability to chew food, significant mental or emotional impairments,
cancer, incredible pain… etc. – many with multiple characteristics.
Despite being the poorest of the poor, they find the resources to
attend. In fact, many apply their meager resources to attend ADAPT
actions to the extent it is their only major activity of the calendar
year. Yet there they are, blocking doors, chanting as they can,
cheering, smiling, determined. They know what they’re doing even if an
outside party would have no idea. ADAPT leaders have been accused of
exploiting these powerful people. We’re told they’re sheep just
following a flock. Bullshit! These are the greatest of our brethren.
Despite incalculable discomfort, they come. Despite the sacrifices to
their home life, they come. They ain’t no sissies, I’ll tell you! But
compared to them, I am.

Yes, I do feel I’m riding the backs of giants.