Post-Tribune
Sunday, May 9, 1999
A5

REGION
[Headline] Disabled travel to capitol, will lobby for legislation
[Subheading] Local ADAPT members say the proposed legislation would give people with disabilities more options,
BY DAVIE ANN BROWDER
Staff Writer

Facing down big government agencies never is easy. After all, the scenario pits individuals against the power and money of the United States. It's easy to get squashed like a bug.

Nevertheless, local members a ADAPT, a national grass-roots disability rights organization, along with hundreds of others from throughout this country, are in Washington, D.C.. today fighting for passage of legislation.

The Community Attendant Services Act (CASA) would allow federal money, such as Medicare and Medicaid, to follow the individual instead of the institution providing care.

Luis Roman of Hammond has been to other rallies in Washington, and he's been asked to speak to newcomers today to tell them what to expect over the next week in the capitol.

Beside the beat. the waiting, the animosity of some bystanders. there's always the chance of at Roman said.

But its worth it, he said.

Roman, who has been blind for 11 years, stated the case for the bill succinctly.

"It's about choice," he said. "A person who is able to, should he allowed to stay home and not be forced into a nursing home.

"That person who can stay at home is happier, they live longer. and it's cheaper for the taxpayer."

Right now, people with disabilities have three choices, he said. They can go to a nursing home, be classified as homebound where loss of all government support results if one leaves the house, or rely on family for total care without government help.

"Really, everybody has a vested interest in the bill," he said. "If you're planning on getting old, or you may become disabled through an accident or illness, don't you want to have options."

Jana Longfellow also is attending the rally, her first. Longleflow is deaf, but can read lips.

"I'm going to learn how to fight for people's rights," she said. And indeed, much of her five days in D.C. will be spent on the streets and in public buildings, lobbying elected officials and governmental agencies.

As a quadriplegic, Terry McCarty of Lowell usually can rely on her companion dog, Frija, a German shepherd. But McCarty is leaving Frija at home with friends and making the trip alone.

McCarty successfully waged a battle to leave a nursing home and live on her own about seven years ago, so the CASA bill is close to her heart.

"It was kind of scary living alone at first," she said, noting that when she left the nursing home she didn't have anyone to stay through the night with her.

Greg Mitro of Hobart, also an ADAPT member, took the time to label each part of his wheelchair before the trip. The reason was because once Mitro boards the
plane, his wheelchair is disassembled and shipped with him.

Often, he said, people with disabilities are overwhelmed with the difficulties involved in taking a trip such as this.

Obstacles include ending transportation to the airport, getting loaded onto the plane by inexperienced flight attendants, getting around in a strange city, staying in a hotel, and then taking to the streets for a public protest.

The threat of arrest looms. ADAPT members block access to the building, they're likely to be jailed.

Mitro tells people not to let the prospects keep them imprisoned at home.

"That's such a great feeling empowerment," he said. "You fee like, 'wow, l'm not alone in all this."

"It's such a sense of community that develops among everybody a then everybody watches out each other.

[image]
[image caption] Greg Mitro of Hobart prepares Thursday for his trip to Washington, D,C., to lobby for passage of the Community Attendant Services Act. Leslie Adkins/Post-Tribune