LAKE LUZERNE -- Betty Cranston rolled her wheelchair onto her porch and gasped in surprise Thursday as a half-dozen friends greeted her for a surprise anniversary celebration.

"I tell you, when you believe in something, you can accomplish anything," the 83-year-old said to the gathered friends and health -care workers. "It's so nice to be around people that truly care for you."

It was just one year ago that she was released from a downstate nursing home where she had been held against her wishes.

Cranston needs a respirator to breathe freely, and she now lives at home with assistance from health-care aides.

Cranston's 18-month legal battle to live at home became a rallying cry last year for activists around the state, who said tens of thousands of people were institutionalized against their will.

A year ago February, angry advocates of the disabled chanted "Free Betty" as they seized control of Gov. George Pataki's office lobby. Then in September, Pataki signed into law safeguards to assure that people with disabilities can choose to live at home or in community settings rather than in institutions.

But Betty's focus Thursday wasn't on politics or the long struggle she and her son David Cranston waged for her freedom — it was centered on the joys of her new life back at home.

"I have dignity and control over life and my circumstances," she said.

"I can cook for myself and do things on my schedule — I love being home."

She and David had long fought for her to be released from the Northeast Center for Special Care in Ulster County into the care of home health aides. But the nursing home — which reaped hundreds of thousands of dollars for her care — argued that she'd likely die at home.

But she didn't.

Instead, she thrived, neighbor Mary Davis said at the party Thursday.

Davis said she's known Betty Cranston for about 45 years, since they first ran a church rummage sale together.

"Betty needed to be home, and now that she is, she's back to her old self again," Davis said. The two now share frequent talks over Cranston's kitchen table.

Betty also enjoys quilting, sewing and tending her plants — activities banned or restricted at the nursing home. On Easter, she attended her church and basked in the attention of long-term friends and well-wishers.

David Cranston said that although he fought to bring her home, it involved a considerable commitment of his time and energy. He is managing Betty's care and taking her to her doctor appointments.

"It's been difficult at times, but I'm just paying back for her raising me," he said.

Attending Thursday's party was Independent Living Center Board President Ted Galusha, an activist for the disabled who helped lead the fight for Betty's freedom.

"The nursing home claimed Betty would face death without their care, but she's really getting better care now at home," Galusha said. "She's where she wants to be and she's having a great life."

Not only is her care better, but it's cheaper, her son said.

He said that while the nursing home charged $252,000 per year for its care, the cost of home care is about $48,000. The difference, he said represents a substantial savings to taxpayers, because Cranston receives Medicaid and Medicare assistance.

Betty Cranston joked that as payment for her lengthy legal battle, she'd like to get a share of that savings.

"I'm looking for a kickback or rebate from the government," she quipped.

Independent Living Center advocate Shirley Dumont said Cranston's feisty battle to live at home served as an inspiration to others who seek to live on their own.

"I'm looking forward to many other homecoming anniversary parties like this," she said.