Living at Participation House was much better for Wayne as he was around people his own age. It was the best move he ever made. Wayne was a determined man and he was going to make the most of his life. He started typing out the words to songs he could hear inside his head. Typing was a long slow process. He used an IBM typewriter with a keyguard on it & one finger. His arms were spastic making typing very difficult. His first songs were sad and very lonely as he missed his Grandma so very much. Wayne also missed not having loving parents like the rest of the residents. Another dream was about to be fulfilled. Wayne met Mrs. Ruby Forrest who was a volunteer who offered to teach Wayne to feed himself if he wanted. She didn't have to ask him twice. It was instant friendship that lead to Ruby and her husband, Bill adopting Wayne as their son. It was never legally done but they became Mom and Dad. Wayne's shoulders were too spastic for him to feed himself. Wayne would go to any and every Country Music show that he could. He started meeting people in the music business. He carried his book of song lyrics to show people in the hope of finding someone willing to help him. Many did try but none could hear what he was hearing inside his head until he met Mr. Tom Kelly at the taping of an Opry North Radio Show being held at the Minkler Auditorium. Tom became Wayne's voice. He literally dug the music out of Wayne's head. This friendship developed into a unique partnership. In 1978 the C.B.C. recorded a double album - one record was Wayne's Story and the second record had 11 of Wayne's songs all cowritten & sang by Tom. It was entitled "Tom Kelly sings Wayne Pronger". Wayne's dreams were starting to come together!

Once Wayne had moved to Participation House, started writing his songs, met his adopted parents, met his songwriter/ singer partner, Tom Kelly he started to look for someone to share his life with. He set his sights on a girl from Norwood, Ontario. She visited twice a year for a couple of weeks in the Spring & Fall. When Wayne wanted something he went after it 100%! The word No did not exist for him. She would help the residents as much as possible and one of her fondest memories was helping to feed the people who were unable to feed themselves. Wayne was one such person. She fed Wayne 3 times a day for her 2 week visit twice a year. She secretly thinks he told the staff NOT to feed him so she would offer to. Hanging out with him was a lot of fun. Everytime she was at P.H. Wayne would ask her to be his girlfriend & she'd decline. His head would drop, she'd walk away feeling so bad that she'd turn to him and quip: Dont give up hope! He never did. Over a period of 5 years their friendship grew into a deep love. His songs reflected his love for her and they became happy, upbeat tunes. In the meatime Wayne had decided he had outgrown P.H. and wanted his own apartment especially with his impending marriage. He would need some help on a daily basis. Well, what do you know, P.H. was opening an apartment project with 24 hour care. Wayne applied in 1980 and got his own apartment at 4000 Don Mills Rd., WILLOWDALE. Lillian and Wayne were engaged in October 1980, much to the disquietude of many. How would their marriage work? I have learned over the years to take life one day at a time. Waynes attitude was life was too slow and things should have been done yesterday. Opposites really DO attract. We were married at Participation House, Markham on April 4, 1981. It was a simple wedding but it was unique. Wayne had written a very special song for our day. It was entitled You Mean Everything to Me. Tom performed it as we were signing the register. I knew we had alot against us but with each other I knew we'd make it! We were a strong team. We were married 18, almost 19 years. As you can see all of Waynes dreams came true for him. How many people can say they accomplished EVERYTHING they ever wanted in their life? I am certain Wayne would have dreamed new dreams to shoot for but it was not meant to be! He made the ultimate decision and joined God's Grand Ole Opry.

Wayne loved being on stage. He was so much a part of it as he sat in his chair beside Tom as he performed a well crafted song of Wayne's. It was awesome to watch these two men work together on a song.

Publicity Shot of Wayne & Tom