Young man with Down syndrome realizes his dream of driving

From the Chillicothe Gazette in Ohio:

Last year, Tim Malone (pictured) finally got to fulfill a dream he's always had of driving.

Malone, 29, and his parents, Jeri and Richard Dillow, never really thought he'd get the chance to drive. Like others with Down syndrome, a genetic condition, Malone experiences some cognitive delays and as a result has some literacy issues Jeri said would prevent him from passing the written portion of the driving exam.

"He always wanted to drive something, and we knew he couldn't on the road," Jeri said.

However, last year Jeri and Richard thought of a way their son could drive. As a family already into racing -- Malone's older brother races mini-sprints and his younger brother karts -- they decided to give him a chance at racing his own senior clone stock kart.

"I was scared to death," Jeri said, adding the karts travel between 44 and 54 miles per hour.

At first, they weren't even sure any of the tracks would accept a racer with Down syndrome. However, 35 Raceway in Frankfort gave him a chance, one that ended up with him No. 7 in points in Columbus for the year, Richard said.

"We really figured they're bar him from the track," Jeri said. "He has temper spells, and I thought it'd get the best of him. He's really surprised everyone."

Malone maintained his cool throughout the season and is prepared to start another one, possibly by adding another track to race during the year. Although proud of a heat race he won last year, Malone said his goal this year is to take first in more individual races.

"I love it. I want to stay with it," he said of racing.

As far as the Dillows know, Malone is the only person with Down syndrome in Ohio who is racing karts. The experience is one Jeri said has actually helped her son with the fits of temper she thought might have kept him from racing.

"I've seen where (it's helped) his temper issues. He's happier. He has something to look forward to," Jeri said.

When not racing, Malone also participates in Special Olympics basketball and track and field. He's currently employed at both Big Lots and Goodwill Industries.