Six Hail Marys and a Bag of Chips is a raw, honest and deeply human account of one man’s journey from rejection and institutionalisation to love, family and a life he once believed would never be possible.
Paddy Fox was born into circumstances that appeared to determine his future before his life had truly begun. After spending his earliest years hidden away, he was placed in a Catholic institution where cruelty, humiliation and punishment became part of everyday life.
Written off as a retard and made to feel that he had little value, Paddy entered adulthood without the emotional foundations, security or guidance most people take for granted. By the age of seventeen, he was homeless, had been to prison and believed he had reached the destination that had been chosen for him.
But Paddy’s story did not end there.
Told with remarkable honesty, wit, courage and defiance, this memoir follows his determination to challenge the expectations placed upon him and create a different future. Vividly written, with the pace and intensity of a compelling television series, the book takes the reader through unforgettable moments of hardship, humour, survival and transformation.
Six Hail Marys and a Bag of Chips is ultimately a story of hope. It is a powerful reminder that no matter how your life begins, your beginning does not have to determine your destination.
