Man With Down Syndrome Runs N.M. Restaurant.

When he was 13 years old, Tim Harris told people that one day he would own and operate a restaurant.
And for the past three years, he has: Tim’s Place, of Albuquerque, N.M.
This is a big deal, because Harris, now 27, has Down Syndrome. Running a restaurant–or any business, for that matter–was never something that was expected of him. But after he expressed interest in the restaurant business, his parents, Keith and Jeannie Harris, who co-own a technology company, figured out a way to make his dream a reality.

 From the start, it was clear that Tim’s Place was something special. In addition to standard American and Mexican breakfasts and lunches, Harris serves hugs, and lots of them. So far, he’s doled out up to 32,4750, according to a “hug counter” on the eatery’s website.

“We were very motivated for Tim to have as normal as life as possible. Our philosophy as a family was to push the envelope as much as we could toward independence, so that one day when my wife and I are no longer in the picture, Tim will be settled and have his own life.”

Harris, who has won several gold medals in the Special Olympics, is also a motivational speaker. His top message? “I tell people with disabilities to stay in school, so they can follow their dreams.”



Abcnews