My name is Richard Prangley. I believe in sharing what I have learned about faith, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit with others. Why? Because from the age of seven to twenty-one, I was confined in a large institution with 3,000 others like me who had various intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

I was abused, beaten, and forced to do menial tasks that the staff refused to do, such as bathing and toileting less capable residents. No one taught me to read or write because they assumed I was unable to learn. Not being able to read or write has caused me problems throughout my life.

While in the institution, I knew there was a higher power that protected me in my darkest and loneliest times. I knew God had my back, but I didn’t have the knowledge or understanding to put it into words. The institution never provided any spiritual counselling or education to help me understand what I was feeling. 

After getting out of the institution in May of 1971, my mission was to teach children about mental disabilities so that what happened to me won't happen to others. Eventually, I found my way to the faith that kept me going through my early years. This is my story of how I became a mental disability advocate and now, God's advocate.