ADAPT action — Day 3
Here’s Arlene:
Tuesday- Day Three
The day started with a presentation by Alfonso Jackson, the Secretary of HUD. What was interesting was that the meeting was on ADAPT turf– and Secretary Jackson came to us! http://ngallery.adapt.org/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=10006&pos=5
While he did not come with housing vouchers in his pocket, he did come with a deadline for action– September 2007! So, the group pledge to hold him to his promise of housing vouchers and other actions that support the ADAPT Access Across American Campaign. He also spoke with Willie Daughtery, and shook, hands with Joe Wheeler! Next on the to do list– a midday stroll through the Capitol district!
Four hundred activists hit the streets of Washington, D.C. The focal point of today’s Washington, D.C. tour was the American Hospital Association. This organization’s practice of direct nursing home placement, without consumer assistance in returning to home, or provision of knowledge of community based service options perpetuates the institutional bias of the medical profession. This group of protesters filled the lobby of the building, and its environs, effectively shutting down the building. The goal - to seek a meeting with the CEO, to discuss processes for transitioning patients for return to the community. The group was able to have a meeting brokered by the Capitol Police. A promise of a meeting within thirty days was arranged, with the topic of discussion revamping the hospital discharge process, and the philosophy of it.
Before leaving, one of the Capitol police commended us for our work, being civil in our disobedience and shared his personal experience about a family member with a head injury. He wished us luck in our pursuit of a meeting, and stated that if they did not meet with us, he expects to see us back again next year. Hurrah! Tomorrow back to Capitol Hill!
Me:
My fellow jailbirds and I, along with all the other ADAPT folks were up early, and assembled in our meeting room to await the arrival of HUD Secretary, Alphonso Jackson. To be honest, I was unimpressed by his rhetoric; I’d heard it many times before, and I’ll believe it when he comes through with something tangible. Show me!
Next, we got ready to hit the American Hospital Association. They have a practice of discharging people with disabilities from the hospital straight to a nursing home, instead of the person’s own home. We wanted to meet with them to work on ending the practice. I was one of the one who took over the entrance to the undeground parking garage. needless to say, some folks who wanted in or out were not happy with us! We kept the chants and songs going loud and strong with the help of Todd, the resident ham.
Finally, Sgt. Constible, of the Capital Police, came down with Bruce to let us know that they were negotiating a meeting with the Vice-President and CEO. These folks did not want to come down to talk with us because they were literally, scared! They promised us a meeting in 30 days, but would not put it in writing, saying that they wanted to build a relationship of trust. Personally, I thought that it was bull, as they seemed to be the ones operating on fear, but oh well. One consolation is that if they mess with us, we know where their headquarters are, and we’ll be in that neighborhood in the fall.
Back to the hotel we went to prepare for the next day’s hard work.
May 16th, 2007 at 1:18 am
I am the resident ham because Dread Trained me, but I am honered to be trained by the BEST!!!!