Adelle

I’ve been a friend and advocate for sweet Adelle for about ten years now. Adelle is 24 and has autism. Adelle works at Burger King, participates in Special Olympics and parks and rec special pops activities. She attends church and Bible study weekly and goes to Genesis gym twice a week. She rides the Ata bus all over town.

Adelle has tons of friends. She’s active on social media and texts and calls friends to socialize. Everyone who meets Adelle loves her smile and positive attitude.

Yesterday i went with Adelle and her Mom for her yearly check in meeting at Big Lakes. Adelle has been on the wait list for an HCBS waiver for seven years. When we put her on the list, we were told the wait would be seven years. Now the wait in Kansas is eleven years. So she receives next to no services while she waits. I was the one who taught her to ride the bus, open a Facebook account, buy and use a cell phone. I encouraged her to get involved with special olympics and special pops. I was the one who helped her get on the wait list for services. I first took her to church.

Years ago i taught Adelle to cook eggs. Besides warming up hot dogs, it’s still the only thing she knows how to cook. Adelle is capable of so much more. I know it would be a challenge to live with Adelle. Hard to be there when she has a tantrum because her schedule changes.

When the eleven year wait is over, Adelle will be evaluated for independent living. They will determine how much support she needs and then she can move out and into some sort of supported living. They will work with her and teach her new skills.

Till then she’s on hold. Five more years. C’mon, Kansas. We can do better than this.