Kyle Glozier of ADAPT Speaks at the 2000 Democratic National Convention

In a speech to West Berlin in June 1963, John F. Kennedy said: "Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in, to prevent them from leaving us. While the wall is the most obvious and vivid demonstration of the failures of the Communist system, for all the world to see, we take no satisfaction in it, for it is, as your Mayor has said, an offense not only against history but an offense against humanity, separating families, dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters, and dividing a people who wish to be joined together. Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free."

Putting people in Nursing Homes or other institutions without giving them any other choices, is an offense against history and an offense against humanity. The Berlin wall was torn down and now is the time to Tear down the Walls of the Nursing homes and other Institutions that separate families, divide husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, and people who wish to be in the community. It is time for the Democratic Party to reform the long term care system, pass MiCASSA and FREE OUR PEOPLE!

The Supreme Court ruled last year in the Olmstead case that people should be in the most integrated setting if that was their choice, and that unnecessary institutionalization is discrimination. In October another case will be heard that questions the constitutionality of the ADA. If the States get the right to implement the ADA any way they choose, the civil rights of people with disabilities will be abolished, and all our hard work of the past 10 years will have to begin all over! The States are not allowed to rule the civil rights of other minority groups in America and it's not fair to let them rule the civil rights of people with disabilities. IDEA has allowed me to be taught in the "Most integrated setting."

Regular education with supports, gives me the same education as my non-disabled peers. IDEA still has a long way to go; kids are still segregated in "special ed" classrooms where they learn about 10% of what they need to know to live. IDEA needs to take the Special out of Education and teach ALL kids! Because of the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 people with disabilities can exercise our civil rights and can contribute to society, by living, learning and working in the community. But again, there is still a lot of work to be done. Inaccessible buildings are still being built. Movie stars, like Clint Eastwood testify to Congress because they are sued for breaking the law. Businesses discriminate against disabled employees. Too often people like myself are at a much greater risk of institutionalization because of the higher level of care we need to remain independent.

I'm lucky because my parents learned about federal laws to help me. They learned early that professionals didn't have high expectations for me, and decided that high expectations were the only way I would get anywhere in this world. They made sure, after a doctor recommended that I live in a crippled children's hospital, that I get the same opportunities that my brothers, Jason and Nigel. Thank you mom and dad!

I'm not safe though. When I turn 18 and my parents aren't there I will be at a much greater risk of going into a nursing home or other institution. And I am just one of thousands of Americans caught in this "offense against humanity". I dream of going to college to be a writer and lawyer, and eventually becoming the first United States President with Cerebral Palsy! Who knows, in the year 2024, I may be up here again giving my acceptance speech for your nomination. Without a guarantee of services in the community, my dreams will not be realized, they will be my nightmare.

What are the Democrats going to do for my future? What will you do to reform the long term care system? I challenge the Democratic Party to work with people with disabilities, and future leaders like myself to reform the long term care system, pass MiCASSA, Tear down the walls and FREE OUR PEOPLE.