This Disability Pride Month, ADAPT learned about a family that truly embodies the ADAPT mission. Adonise, a bright and talented student from an ADAPT preschool program in Manhattan, recently had the extraordinary opportunity to visit the White House and celebrate the conclusion of Disability Pride Month.
Adonise’s mother, Anne Louis, shared how their whole family spent two days in Washington, D.C., advocating for children with disabilities. Adonise captivated everyone at the White House with his charming performance, singing, “Who came to school today, Isaac, Isaac…” and joyfully naming his classmates. His infectious spirit continued as he proclaimed, “Finished, finished, for today!” after their visit.
Anne, her husband, and Adonise first became involved in political activism through Little Lobbyists, a group dedicated to advocating for children with complex medical needs and disabilities. Since May 2023, the family has worked with Little Lobbyists to ensure that the voices of families like theirs are heard in important conversations about healthcare and support for people with disabilities.
“I wanted to be a part of the bigger conversation around care on the federal level,” Anne said.
After joining, Anne was surprised to receive an invitation from the White House to hear from speakers comprising of the U.S. Department of Transportation Disability Policy Advisor, a human rights lawyer, an actor and musician, and more. Adonise and his family were even able to meet Haben Girma, the first deafblind woman to graduate from Harvard Law School and a White House Champion of Change.
This milestone is not just a personal victory for Adonise and Anne, but a powerful testament to the impact of the ADAPT Community Network. Anne expressed her gratitude for the growth and support they have received through our programs, emphasizing that while Adonise has graduated our preschools, he and his family are still part of the ADAPT family.
“My hope is to educate Adonise on his ability to advocate for himself,” Anne said. “He has learned so much during his time at ADAPT. I hope that we can continue to work together to highlight the needs of ADAPT to better support students, faculty, staff, and parents.”
As we celebrate Adonise’s accomplishments, we are reminded of the importance of teaching our children to advocate for themselves and others. We are inspired by the stories of advocacy and resilience that emerge from our families, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
