A baby is born, a dream begins...
Kelly Page Horton was born on September 18, 1984, the fourth daughter of Jerry and Judy Horton. Kelly was born with Down syndrome, the leading chromosomal cause of mental retardation.
Photo of Kelly at age three, with Mom, Dad, and Frisco the puppy.
Jerry and Judy began an intensive search for resources and information that could help their daughter. Kelly began therapy at age five weeks at the Infant-Parent Training Program in Austin.
This excellent program helped Kelly achieve all her major milestones-turning over, crawling, standing, and walking- all within normal timelines. At age three, Kelly was enrolled at the Austin Montessori Center, where she thrived. It was clear that with early intervention and solid education, Kelly could have a good life.
Looking into the future, Jerry and Judy were less confident. They found that all too often adults with mental disabilities existed in a twilight world of constantly revolving staff and good programs being dropped for lack of funding. Sometimes life came down to sitting on the couch watching t.v., for lack of support to make and keep friends, get and keep a job, and negotiate the public transportation system.
And so the Hortons began to visit Village Communities around the country, and they became inspired to build Down Home Ranch, as a working ranch where adults with disabilities could live their lives in a truly integrated environment, with people who love them and the chance to make lifelong friends.
Photo of Kelly at age seven at Down Home Ranch with Blossom the Donkey in front of the old barn.