Tim and his brothers in front of Tim’s Place
Hello everyone. I am Tim Harris. I am 26 years old and I am living the life of my dreams!!
I was born in January of 1986. A few hours after I was born, our doctor told my parents that I had Down syndrome. A lot of people told my parents that they were very, very sorry. I guess they didn’t know then just how TOTALLY AWESOME I would turn out to be. I think they should call it “UP SYNDROME.”
I am the second of four sons in my family. I have one older brother named Dan and two younger brothers named Tom and John. Growing up with three brothers was a lot of fun. They treated me like a brother – not like someone special or different. They never let me use my disability to get out of doing the dishes when it was my turn (I did try sometimes though). I love hanging out with my brothers and all of my friends.
I am very active. I exercise almost every day. I am very fit. I used to have a lot of problems with my weight. When I’m not being careful, I overeat and spend too much time in front of my TV and my computer. Anybody else have that problem?
Before, I really didn’t like the way I looked or the way I felt. I was very sad about it. So, a couple of years ago, I decided I wanted to be in great shape.
With the help of my friends, I made a commitment to working out and eating healthy. It was very hard, but I stuck with it. Over the last three years, I’ve lost about 70 pounds and I’m in the best shape of my life.
Growing up, I always played sports with my brothers and wanted to be able to compete just like they did. I started in Special Olympics when I was thirteen years old. My Special Olympic sports are basketball, poly hockey, volleyball, golf and track and field. I have dozens of gold medals – way more than that other Olympian, Michael Phelps. Many of them are on display in my restaurant.
I took a silver medal in the 4 X 100 meter relay and a bronze medal and trophy in the pentathlon in the New Mexico Special Olympics Summer Games last May.
I had a great time in High School. Eldorado High School in Albuquerque had a Special Olympics team as part of our sports program. I was captain of our basketball team for two years and earned a letter in Special Olympics. My letter jacket is now on the wall at my restaurant. I think that being athletes made me and my friends popular in high school. I was so popular that I decided to run for Homecoming King in my senior year. I was VERY happy when I won. I got to be on TV and in the newspapers.
My brothers told me that even though I was the King at school, I was NOT the King of our house.
After high school, I had a dream to go to college. In the fall of 2004, I moved to Roswell, New Mexico to attend Eastern New Mexico University. And yes it’s true, there are aliens in Roswell.
I was very scared the day my family dropped me off at college. I had never lived away from home before. After I got all moved in, I stood on my balcony and waved goodbye. As they pulled away, I cried. They told me later that they cried, too. But it didn’t take long before I was having a lot of fun living in my dorm and going to college.
I graduated in the summer of 2008 with certificates in Food Service, Office Skills and Restaurant Hosting. I’m a college graduate now.
After college, I had a dream to travel and see the world. For two winters, I lived on a sailboat with my parents and traveled in the Bahamas. We have so much fun on our boat.
I like sailing, swimming, snorkeling, fishing and blowing the Conch Shell at sunset. I also like the local food and the local beer called Kalik (my dad says he thinks I like it too much).
I also loved meeting all of the people. I made lots of friends there. One Bahamian friend told me that I should move there and run for Prime Minister. Another friend named his new son Tim, after me. I especially love the Bahamian girls!!
After college, I knew I wanted to live on my own. I love my parents a lot, but I want to have my own life. In July of 2010, I moved into my own apartment.
I shop for my own groceries, do my own laundry and pay all of my own bills. I love living in my own place. And lucky me, it’s right next door to my restaurant. I bet you wish you could walk to work in two minutes!
For over 10 years, I had a dream to own my own business. Well, I’m here to tell you that dreams do come true. I am the owner of Tim’s Place – the World’s Friendliest Restaurant located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We’re open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week.
My favorite part of the day is giving out the free Tim Hugs. They are on my menu and most people order at least one.
So far, I’ve given out over twenty thousand hugs. I even have a counter on the wall to keep track of the total. I guess you can say I’m a hugging machine…
I have even more dreams. I want to be married some day and have my own family.
Recently I started dating someone special. Her name is Whitney and we’ve known each other since elementary school. She’s really cute!! We like to watch movies together and she likes to cook for me. How cool is that?!
I don’t drive, but Whitney drives and has her own car – BONUS!! All of our friends and family think we’re a great couple. I’m very excited to have someone special in my life.
I also have a dream to inspire other people to reach for the stars. If I can do it, YOU can too.
My story has been getting a lot of attention this year. Our local news channels in Albuquerque have done stories on my life. I’ve been on local talk shows, on CNN Headline News, in People Magazine, and last June I was featured on the CBS Evening News and on CBS Sunday Morning. After CBS did their story, I’ve been featured in newspapers in over 30 countries. We think that over 20 million people have seen my story this year. I guess that means that I’ve gone global – can you believe it?
Some companies in Hollywood are interested in making a movie and a television series about me and my life. If everything works out, you might see me on the big screen next year.
Thank you for letting me share my life with you.
I hope you bring your friends and family to my restaurant in Albuquerque some day. Our food is really good and the Tim Hugs are free.
You can read more about me on my website. See you at Tim’s Place!
My comment was May 4, 2013 and signed Carol C. A note was posted that the comment was awaiting moderation. I then posted my name and email as requested.
Hi Carol,
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I wish I could give you a huge HUG! You are wonderful. Take care and look forward to the top.
Why are you so high functioning and not me?
I am a 27 year old man that loves Special Olympics and your story was so touching.
Hello Tim,
My name is Devon P. and I was diagnosed with an epilepsy disorder when I was little. I have the same positive that you do about your disability.
Keep going strong,
Devon
Tim, I have a brother with a disability and try to support him in the loving, “nothing is impossible” kind of way that your family does. You are a hero to me and to so many others, I’m sure. Keep up the good work and the wonderful positive attitude you have, its heartfelt goodness is catching!!! Here’s an e-hug for you!
Merry Christmas to all of you in New Mexico. Merry Christmas to all the disabled people of the world. Good day to all of you in the administration. Let’s all pull together – we, the disabled people, to keep on making the US of A a better place to live, keep up the good American tradition. I am a person that can hardly move and suffer physical pain every day. Lucky you that can move and also my mind is going blank as I get older. I live in a dose of medicine every day to keep my mental health steady. I did all the possible things I could to go back to work…I am disabled for life, good life. Thank you to the founders of this branch of the government.
With love,
Phil
Dear Tim,
This is what I wrote on my Facebook status along with a shareable link to your universally heartwarming story. Your life achievements thus far because of being Blessed with Ups Syndrome are going to save many, many lives and give millions hope, faith and belief in that absolutely all things ARE possible.
I am Autistic, 49, a Woman of Color and am Autism Community Advocate and Activist and it is my belief that I will make it to Capital Hill one day to represent millions of individuals who are born just like US. We are living miracles and the world needs to know that life itself, no matter how one comes into life, is a miracle. Thank you for being YOU, Tim!
God Bless,
Patricia
Posted on my Facebook…
“OMG! I almost cried after reading this story. At first because, in recent years, doctors/OB Gyns have been prenatally screening for the genetic marker/supposed mutated gene for Downs Syndrome, without consent from the mother or father and then, ‘counseling’ and outright advising ABORTING THE FETUS! This is what is now being done for Autism, the ‘cure’, ‘treatment’, spear-headed by Autism $peakes and the Pharma and Biotech industries, globally. And I remember the ‘parents’ in Minnesota who sued and won because they conceived and gave birth to a beautiful human baby girl who happened to have Downs Syndrome, although they were assured, pre-birth, their child would be “normal”. Just imagine how dark and daunting life for all of Planet Earth would be if a beautiful human being like Tim didn’t exist to light the way back to humanity on this planet. So I almost cried tears of joy, when reading Tim’s story. I Thank GOD Tim was BORN and for his family, friends and community for making sure he was LOVED from the time he was born and not rendered obsolete. Who in GOD’s name has the right to say who should live and who should die, on this planet?? Autism $peakes??!! Over my dead body! I was almost aborted; I guess it didn’t work and look at where I am!! Right here, now, poised to help fight the good fight for humanity, internationally, globally, for all 1.47 billion of US, that some would like to say and try to prove, have no right to life… How dare they! Hooray for Tim!!! For he truly represents what LOVE DOES! When I start to travel again, as I become well again, I am definitely going to visit NM and meet this awesome human being to simply say ‘Thank you For BEING BORN JUST AS YOU ARE!’
”
Great story. I am a disabled Veteran and I know all too well what it feels like to be different.
Hi Tim, My son is 10 – he is called Stan. We live in London, UK. I hope one day Stan can do all the great things you do. Follow me on twitter on – https://twitter.com/downs_dad_uk
You are a blessing to all who know you–even to those of us who only know you through what you write or what we read about you.
May God continue to grant all your desires!
Tim, you’re a lucky guy and I have to say God works on his time not ours. You have a postive attitude and that’s what got you to make it through this long battle. Tim, I will have to admit to you, I have a story myself and I don’t think I should talk about mine where as we are talking about you. I want to just give you a little bit about myself. I stopped to help this guy on July 20,2007, only to be run over by this man – he was drunk and I didn’t know it at the time. Well anyways, he dragged me, crushed me, and left me to die in a ditch with 64 broken bones at 8:30 am. I fought for my life for 5-1/2 hrs. I prayed all kinds of things to Jesus. I died 5 times, yet I’m still here, Tim. I would like to share my story with you in hopes of finding someone to help me. I want to walk, it’s been 5 yrs and I need serious help like you had, and I can’t seem to find help. I need to get better. Life has been tough for me, as the guy never had any insurance so this left me to fend for myself at my expense. Mr.Tim, may God bless your soul, what a heartfelt story you have. I hope to hear from you, maybe you can help me with getting me headed in the right dierection. God Bless your soul. Hugs to a awesome man of God…Amen.
Dale, you are also a miracle. Jesus heard your pray. You said it, you died 5 times and you’re still here. Now you’re sad for what you went through and the changes that have occurred in your life, especially since you can’t walk. You know, Jesus has allowed to live and that’s what matters. Maybe you can not walk in the way you did before but you can move wherever you want and you can do anything you want in your life and what Tim has done. The circumstances in which you live today should not determine what will be in the future. Do not be overcome by sadness, get up and do like eagles. They spend a very painful process to go back to the heights. They lose their nails, their beaks and feathers to renew. Do the same, rejuvenate. You have lost the ability to walk but not the ability to live because your life does not depend on your legs, your life depends on your heart, your mind and depends on who said this day July 20, 2007: “No, Dale will not die, because I have great things for him”. God bless you. I invite you to seek out the independent living center where you live so you can get the help you need.
Thank you for sharing your amazing life! It’s wonderful to show people that the only limitations we have are the ones we put on ourselves.
What an amazing young man!!! God Bless you and I hope your story goes all around the world and becomes a novel, a movie and a television show!!!
Your life is wonderful! I wish everyone with up syndrome could have it so great!
Tim, you are a blessing and inspiration to me and my wife. I am all too familiar with the great dreams you have and the ones you’ve achieved. We have a 13 year old son who has Downs Syndrome. His name is Christopher. Chris is always telling us of the new house we’re going to move into or the movies he’s going to make with Tyler Perry. Yes, he loves the television also. His 15 year old brother, Carl, treats him like any other of his buddies. Except he loves him dearly…as do we. I thank God for your wonderful and loving parents and brothers. All the love you gave and shared, they gave it back. God bless you with every dream you dream. Including the family of your own that you will have someday. Continued blessings, Tim. Carl
This story is truly inspiring. And from this story, I have come to see that God’s Love and Mercy is indeed universal, far reaching and all encompassing.
Tim, thanks for sharing.
PEACE!
You are a great guy. Can you tell me your workout and the diet you followed? I am a disabled veteran and I need to lose some weight. Thanks!
The diabetic diet is the best. The reason is because it is balanced in proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Find out your recommended calories. That is determined by your height, weight, and exercise habits. If you need to lose weight, cut 100 or 200 calories out and/or increase your exercise. If you see a doctor, ask him about any clarifications you need. Ideally eat 6 times a day. The easiest way is to save part of each meal as a snack to eat between meals and at bedtime. Eating less but more often increases your metabolism, especially if you build a little more exercise into each day. Some people can lose weight just by avoiding “junk” food and sodas. I hope this helps. God Bless you. Carol C.
You are fantastic! God certainly blessed your family with such a wonderful son and brother. I hope you and your lady have a great life together. God Bless you….
This is amazing. God does work in mysterious ways and miracles do come true. As we know this happens to others with different degrees of severity. It was helpful and great for Tim to have all of the love and support from his family unit. I have been involved with a certain young man for yrs. now and his condition is a lot worst and he tries so hard to learn and has come a long way, but it would take a miracle indeed for him to come this far in life. I wish Tim all that life has to offer and I am so proud of what he has accomplished. Here is a hug Tim coming thru the web to let you know you give a lot of others hope for their futures. Continue on living and loving each day like it could be the last day, but I hope you do what you want and never stop wanting to do more.
Tim, you’re an inspiration!!! Long distance hug to you, my friend.
What an uplifting story! What is the secret of your positive attitude? Keep doing good work — and especially keep giving out those hugs.