New Town to Cater to Disabled People

In Montgomery County, a new town is being built--but not just anyone can live there.

New Danville will be home to dozens of adults with disabilities. All are pursuing jobs and the chance to live on their own.

Krystal Schulze, who navigates life in a wheelchair, says she’s spent years trying to free herself from negative labels and limited expectations.

"It's not about being retarded. It's about being challenged,” Schulze said. “God is challenging you, and the world is challenging you."

Perhaps the biggest challenge is figuring out where she fits in.

Schulze is now 29 years old. Her mom says she’s always wanted to move out and have a life that’s similar to everyone else.

"Yes, I have dreams of moving out just like any other girl. I want to move out, get married, have kids,” she says. “What's different just cause there's a wheelchair you know?"

Schulze's life 'was moving toward independence. She was a perfectly healthy high school student, gifted athlete and engaged to be married.

Then halfway through her senior year, life seemed to stop.

Doctors discovered a brain tumor.

Getting rid of the tumor saved Schulze's life but cost her her fine motor skills.

"There are other things like dreams you don't lose, they're in your head,” she says. “You can't get rid of them."

The place of Schulze's dreams is being built on 42 acres in Willis.

New Danville is a master planned community where high functioning adults can learn, work and socialize with people just like them.

Some, like Schulze, have had traumatic brain injuries. Others are autistic.

Kathy Sanders envisioned New Danville when worrying about what would happen to her son when she's no longer able to care for him.

"There are a lot of organizations that care for people with more significant needs, and this level of individual,” Sanders said. "There just really isn't many services so we're filling a niche that hasn't been met."

Eventually the goal at New Danville is for about 200 mentally challenged adults to be able to live on their own. There will be cart paths that lead to a bowling alley, movie theater, a pizza parlor and more

New Danville has afforded Schulze new opportunities like job training. She's an aide for lower functioning adults and designs web pages.

"If I don't ever get married or if I don't do whatever He doesn't want me to do, then I still have the skills to be successful at something," Schulze said.