Member Spotlight: Marilee Adamski-Smith
What's your story? Tell us a little about yourself.
Marilee was born and raised in Stevens Point, WI. Born with something called Tetra-Amelia, she’s missing all four limbs, but that doesn’t stop her. She tells people, “don’t feel sorry for me. I don’t know what it is like to have arms or legs, so I’m not missing anything!”
After high school, Marilee went to UW-Whitewater where she earned a degree in Graphic Design. She explains that her experience in college was great. She had personal care workers that assisted her and it was the first time she was able to live independently. It was in college that she got involved in advocating for disability rights. She connected with a national advocacy group called ADAPT. ADAPT is a national grassroots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom. She also became involved in the Independent Living Council of Wisconsin where she served as the Council’s Secretary and Chair of the Membership Committee. She and her husband have attended several national rallies. They co-founded Central Wisconsin ADAPT. She’s very proud to be National ADAPT’s Media Chair and an ADAPT member!
Marilee owns her own business called Adamski-Smith Multimedia Solutions. Through her business, she provides a host of services. She can design and create logos, business cards and brochures; make slideshows, do video editing and DVD authoring, photo restoration, DVD conversion, website design and hosting. She really enjoys owning her own business.
Currently, Marilee and her husband live in Brookfield Wisconsin, and in the very near future, and they also plan to design and build a universal design home. They hope to start a family soon. Her disability does not define her. She says, “I am a wife, business owner, sister, Godmother, Aunt, and a great friend. Who knows where life will take me next; I am so thankful for all the experiences that I went through in my life. If I didn't have the experiences that I did, I wouldn't be the person I am today and it all started with how I was brought up by my parents and the help of self-directed services that allows me to live independently in the community, in my own home. They have shaped me into the person I am today!”
How are you involved with self-determination?
Marilee explains that her parents taught her to always believe in herself and that if she set her mind to some goal that she can achieve it. One example of this was: after graduating from college, she had worked for a couple of different graphic design companies, but she felt that she was not being challenged and at times the opportunities were less. So, she decided to start her own graphic design business, Adamski-Smith Multimedia Solutions.
Why did you join the SD Network?
Marilee joined the SD Network mainly to network and get to know people. Being part of the Self-Determination Network allows her to connect with other people that have disabilities that want to live independently in the community. “Being part of all of these different organizations, I have had the opportunity to meet with different Senators and Legislators at the State level and in Washington DC to advocate for disability rights,” she says.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Recently, Marilee has had to scale down on my graphic design business because she has an increasing larger role in ADAPT. One of the primary things they are focus on is to pass the legislation - Disability Integration Act (DIA). She explains that the DIA is civil rights legislation to address the fundamental issue that people who need Long Term Services and Supports LTSS are forced into institutions and are losing their basic civil rights. The DIA is intended to assure that people with disabilities can live in the community rather than be forced into nursing facilities and other institutions. This groundbreaking legislation establishes statutory civil rights language - comparable to the ADA - which requires public entities and Long-Term Service and Supports insurance providers to change their policies, provide community-based services first, and offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) to people currently in institutions. This legislation builds on the 25 years of work that ADAPT has done to end the institutional bias and provide seniors and people with disabilities HCBS as an alternative to institutionalization.
She’s very excited about this legislation because it will be the next big step in disability rights since the ADA and it will give people with disabilities the right to choose to receive long term care in their own home and community settings instead of being forced into nursing homes. “For people like myself, having this right means many other opportunities open up. We can choose where they would like to live, go to school, get a job, etc.,” she says. She’s looking forward to being part of this history as they’re working hard to get this legislation passed this summer in the House. If people would like to participate in this effort she has many ways in which everyone can help. If you would like to help please email her.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Marilee encourages people to never give up and reach out to your support networks. She explains that there will be obstacles in life, but you can find allies in your journey who can help you get back up when facing an obstacle. She notes that the SD network is an example of allies.
She also encourages people to get involved in disability advocacy and join organizations and groups that help people with disabilities live an independent life. “ADAPT, WBPDD and the SD Network are great organizations and groups that believe that all people with disabilities should be treated as equal as non-disabled people,” she says.
What are some of your hobbies?
In her free time, Marilee likes to go camping and geocaching. Every summer, she tries to pack in at least six camping trips. She also likes to cook new recipes, go swimming, do jigsaw puzzles, going to the movies, theater plays and concerts. She loves spending time with family and friends as well--especially her husband, Joseph and two god children, Avery and Cole!
***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.
