Richard Millard West

My brother, Richard, was told from childhood that he was "retarded" & would never be "normal". He chose to challenge & prove it wrong. At the age of 18, he walked out of a rehab facility, raised his finger & never looked back. For the next 50+ years, Richard was a ramblin', travelin' man....East Coast, West Coast & places in between, depending on the weather. He would disappear from our radar for a few years, then pop up out of the blue. His travels took him places most would not want to be & associations few would want. But, he did it his way, as the song goes, with few regrets, feeling freedom & independence in doing so.

I remember the little boy who couldn't sit still, with a mischievous sense of humor & a disarming smile that carried him through his journeys before reaching his final resting place, Allegheny Health & Rehab in Covington, VA. During his 5 year residency there, he found peace & acceptance, friends & caregivers, love & caring...and humor. He laughed alot. He was happy. He found his normal. For that, and our memories of love & laughter together, We, his family, wish him eternal peace & love. And, don't worry, Richard, it's ok...we've got your Redskins jacket. Love you, your big sis.