We do need to build something here, we need to build a community

"Today one million seven hundred thousand ... listen to that again ... One million seven hundred thousand people are imprisoned in nursing homes around America," said Mike Auberger the co-founder of ADAPT. Mike asked the crowd gathered across the street from the Laguna Honda Hospital to look toward the immense edifice visible to most people on the grassy hillside. 

"San Francisco has the dubious honor of owning the largest nursing home and will spend an estimated $400 million to rebuild it. It will be able to withstand earthquake, fire and other acts of nature to imprison more people with disabilities for the next 100 years," said Mike. "If the politicians of San Francisco will not hear our words they will hear our actions."

"I am with you in passion and spirit," said Justin Dart in a message delivered by Capitol Area ADAPT to the assembly of 600. Justin sent the message with his wheelchair, his hat and one of his boots. "One boot," said Justin, "because one of my legs was amputated."

"There is no better way to defeat terrorism than to make the American Dream work for every American," said Justin Dart in his message. "There is no place in America for Laguna Honda."

ADAPT gathered at the MUNI public transit stations around the Ramada Plaza Hotel to get to the hillside in front of Laguna Honda Hospital today. Around noon ADAPT arrived across the street from the Laguna Honda Hospital where two or three people advocating the rebuilding of the facility greet the group. Their message seems only to be that the building may be dangerous in an earthquake, which oddly does not conflict with ADAPT's stance to "tear down the walls."

ADAPT assembled in the shadow of the enormous Laguna Honda Hospital where ADAPT members and supporters were draped along a grassy field creating an ad hoc amphitheater. Herb Levine of the Independent Living Resource Center welcomed all and introduced Johnny Crescendo who sang "We Are Getting Stronger Everyday" for his daughter Danielle.

"We are in favor of a workforce doing meaningful work in a meaningful place, in the community." Said Herb Levine who encounters locally the arguments for rebuilding the colossus nursing home, "We are here to say it can be done, and what San Francisco can do, it must do."

"Bill Junior does not need a place like Laguna Honda Hospital," said Bill Coffelt the Co-Chair of the National Coalition on Self-Determination (NConSD), which not only got Bill Junior out of an institution, but got three thousand others out as well. The NConSD is working to change the federal policy that traps people in institutions. Mr. Coffelt proposes a revival of the "Community Imperative" to make the systemic changes necessary to prevent institutionalizing Americans because of a mental disability.

"I have lived in Laguna Honda Hospital for six years," said Jesse Fitchett, a current resident who joined the demonstration, "which has been entirely too long."

Jana Overbo told about two individuals that have died recently in Laguna Honda and asked us to remember their struggle. "Kay was dumped after surgery," explained Jana about one of the individuals. "She had cancer and said that she did not wish to die in here [Laguna Honda]."

"Nursing homes are hell holes," said Karen from Texas who lived for 12 years in an institution but now lives in her own home. "They don't treat you like adults, the treat you like a baby."

Following Johnny Crescendo singing "Tear Down the Walls," ADAPT marched across the street and around the giant complex stopping outside the front entrance. Stephanie Thomas addressed the assembly at the steps.

"We belong in the community with everybody else," said Stephanie. "We do need to build something here, we need to build a community."

- Tim Wheat