Richard Propes | Independent Film Critic

In 1989, a homeless and hopeless Richard Propes, a paraplegic/double amputee with spina bifida, set out in his wheelchair from downtown Indianapolis on his first “Tenderness Tour,” an effort to bring awareness to child abuse issues. That first trip turned into a 41-day, 1086 mile journey that changed his life and has continued to inspire thousands from around the U.S.

Since 1989, Richard Propes has traveled over 3,000 miles by wheelchair raising awareness on child abuse/domestic violence issues while helping to raise thousands of dollars for children's organizations worldwide with a specific focus on how they impact children. He is the founder/director of the Tenderness Tour, an Indiana-based organization committed to establishing "A Peaceful Home for Every Child." with 100% of funds received on  road tours donated to children's organizations worldwide. The Tenderness Tour is the only all-volunteer organization to distribute funds in every nation of the world and Richard is nearing his 25th Anniversary. He's been the recipient of numerous honors including Sagamore of the Wabash, Order of Kentucky Colonels and the Donna J. Stone Award, Prevent Child Abuse America's highest honor.

He is the founder/artistic director for Heart n' Sole Film Festival, a brand new film festival and Indiana's first cause-oriented film festival dedicated to finding creative ways to address social justice issues and the founder/publisher for The Independent Critic, www.theindependentcritic.com, a film website devoted to a unique blend of movie reviews and social outreach.  Richard's new book, "The Hallelujah Life," was released in May 2012 and is a collection of poetry, reflections and short stories centered around his own healing journey and living a life that transcends one's experiences.