PAI remembers Pam Peak

Pamela Lynn Peak was born on September 11, 1962 in Louisville Kentucky. She rode motorcycles and wrote poetry, and was a passionate and kind woman. She died at home on February 15, 2008, from an infection.

Pam was a person whose disability, muscular dystrophy, (M.D.) never stopped her from saying what was on her mind or doing what she thought was right. Eventually her M.D. left her able to move only a finger; this did not stop her from getting out of a Subacute facility, onto the Medi-Cal Subacute waiver, and into her own apartment, all by herself. 

Pam’s willingness to fight for her rights and the rights of others with disabilities led to a settlement with the state of California that established non-nursing (RN) case management services for people on Medi-Cal home and community based waivers. Not only can non-RNs be case managers, but non-profits can be providers as well, and Pam was and is the first person in the state to receive Medi-cal funded case management and habilitation from a supported living agency, Imagine, in Santa Cruz California.

Pam’s willingness to fight also ensured that Protection and Advocacy received attorneys’ fees in the case. Pam was happy for PAI, but even more thrilled that this victory meant so much to so many people across the state who need the same services.

Pam left directions that her brother provide PAI with any of her papers that could help us in our continuing advocacy, that her medical equipment be donated to disability related organizations, and that her van be donated to a non-profit working for children’s or minority rights. Her generosity of spirit, strong sense of justice, and determination are reminders to us of what one person can accomplish. She will be missed by many, including her family, dedicated case managers from Imagine, Tracey, Lauren, and Julie, and of course all of us.