Restaurant Owner With Down Syndrome Captures The American Dream
Ericka Andersen /
You might not expect a child with Down syndrome to grow up and become a small-business owner — but that’s exactly what Tim Harris did.
From the time he was 14 years old, his parents say, Harris was determined to own a restaurant. His dream came true several years ago when his father helped him get it off the ground. Today, “Tim’s Place” is thriving in the business of “breakfast, lunch and hugs.”
The “Tim’s Place” website offers a famous quote from Walt Disney to explain the driving force behind his dream: “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
Harris’ success encompasses the spirit of the American Dream, which dares to promise that in this country, there’s no discrimination or cap on what one can accomplish if they set their mind to it.
In addition to breaking barriers for people born with Down syndrome — Harris has also competed and won medals in the Special Olympics and boasts “more medals than Michael Phelps” — his accomplishment inspires people not to let their weaknesses hold them back.