Mike Raymond was a self-advocate, husband, father, and a key leader in Washington’s developmental disabilities movement. His life reflects both the harm caused by institutional systems and the power of people with disabilities to shape change when they are heard. As part of the Council’s History and Visioning: 50 Years of Advocacy project, we are sharing Mike’s story to honor the individuals whose lived experiences and leadership helped move Washington toward community-based supports and continue to inform the Council’s mission today.

Mike lived at Rainier School from 1949 to 1969, placed there as a young child after professionals told his family it was the best option available. Like many people institutionalized during that era, Mike experienced isolation from his community and the loss of connection to his family.

In 1969, with the support of his sister, Mike was able to leave Rainier and move into a group home, where he also reconnected with his mother. He later married his partner Dianne, whom he met at Rainier. Together, Mike and Dianne built a life in the community—getting married, moving into their own home, and starting a family. They welcomed their daughter, Tera, who is now a teacher in Wisconsin with a family of her own.

What makes Mike’s story so important is not just his experience inside Rainier, but the leadership he showed afterward. When he returned to the community, Mike became one of Washington’s most influential self-advocates. He spoke openly about life in institutions, helped educate policymakers, and ensured that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were heard in decisions affecting their lives. His advocacy shaped disability rights work across the state and strengthened efforts to move Washington away from institutional models and toward community-based supports.

Mike’s voice continues to guide the movement today, reminding us why choice, belonging, and community matter.

This story is part of the Council’s History and Visioning: 50 Years of Advocacy project, which highlights key moments, leaders, and experiences that have shaped Washington’s developmental disabilities movement and inform our mission today.