I remember the day Richard Prangley walked into the old pressroom at the Michigan State Capitol Building. He was looking for news media attention for his story about his childhood in state mental institutions.
I was the pressroom manager and the first person to see for all kinds of individuals and groups who were seeking media attention from the 40+ plus reporters and photographers who worked out of the second floor offices behind the Michigan House of Representatives.
Prangley who talked with the cadence of somebody who was developmentally challenged mentioned that he was trying to talk personally with former Gov. Bill Milliken about the plight and circumstances of those who are mentally or developmentally ill. I smiled, listened and nodded my head. Little did I know that Richard was one of the most passionate people I would ever meet. He met Milliken. A film was made about his life and a book was written.
In today’s Lansing State Journal, columnist John Schneider writes that Richard is retiring from the state of Michigan after working for 30 years. It’s a must read about an individual who made a difference and who has a story of survival that’s truly inspirational.
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Richards’ story is amazing and far from over. He can still inspire those whom he meets.