Carolyn Finnel, one of the hundreds of ADAPT advocates here from around the nation, has a unique connection with ADAPT. Entrenched in the history of ADAPT is the impact of Wade Blank, the co-founder and original spirit of ADAPT. 

ADAPT was organized to spread the energy started by Wade Blank and others in Denver across the nation to Americans with disabilities. Carolyn Finnel was one of the eight people Wade helped move from a nursing home into a Denver neighborhood the first month when he started the Atlantis Community.

"Wade was the Youth Coordinator at the nursing home," said Carolyn, "until he got fired."

I told her that a Youth Coordinator sounded strange.

"Back then it was not odd for a nursing home to have a youth coordinator," she said. "Before Wade there were no alternatives."

Having Carolyn at the action helps to bring the ADAPT perspective into view. She moved out of a nursing home about 25 years ago. Our Medicaid policy has evolved to provide some services in the community, however the bias of the system still leaves hundreds of thousands of Americans stranded in institutions.

- Tim Wheat