230. Pursuing Happiness: New Horizons Village

New Horizons Village in Farmington, Connecticut, isn't just a housing complex—it's a living testament to the power of self-determination by people with disabilities. Founded in 1955 by polio survivor Joan Herman and championed by a network of activists, volunteers, and residents, the village emerged from a hospital ward into a thriving, independent community. For decades, its residents fought not only for accessible housing but for the right to live with dignity, make their own decisions, and build a life beyond institutional care. Despite early skepticism—from neighbors fearing 'visibility' of disability and critics calling it a 'ghetto'—New Horizons proved that living together as a community wasn't segregation, but solidarity. Today, with 101 residents, 24/7 village care attendants, and a culture rooted in mutual aid, it stands as one of the nation’s longest-running independent living models. The story is not just about ramps and wheelchairs, but about legacy: how a group of young people refused to be defined by their limitations and built a future where independence wasn’t a privilege, but a right. The episode reveals how New Horizons transformed from a dream into a reality through relentless advocacy, grassroots fundraising, and community-building. It highlights the emotional weight of moving from hospital life—where residents were patients—to becoming employers of their own personal care assistants. The challenges were real: scarce transportation, a van shortage, and a town with only one wheelchair-accessible business when the village opened. Yet over time, paved paths, more vans, and community engagement turned Unionville into a more inclusive space. The resilience of residents like Chuck Hutchings, who dreamed of living in the woods and still plays sports, and Todd Kilroy, who earned a master’s degree while being misunderstood and underestimated, underscores the human triumph at the heart of this story. This is not a tale of charity, but of agency—where disability is not a barrier to joy, purpose, or belonging.