AN AUTISTIC schoolboy from Dartford has overcome all the odds to achieve his dream of being a go-kart racer like his dad.
Lewis Deacon, 12, of South Darenth, was diagnosed with autism when he was two. It affects his coordination skills. He also suffers from severe speech and language difficulties.
Late last year the Grange Park School student was watching his dad, Graham Deacon, go-karting at Rayleigh Karting in Raleigh, Essex.
He was desperate to have a go.
His dad phoned the club but they said he could not race with them because his condition made insurance too expensive.
He got the same response from other racing clubs at Buckmore Park in Chatham and Bayford Meadows in Sittingbourne.
Then Brentwood Karting in Brentwood Essex decided to take him on, giving him a trial run in February 2012.
He spun his kart a few times but fell in love with it.
Now he has completed a 12 week season and has won the most improved cadet award.
He has also come seventh in the club’s competitive cadet league.
Lewis’s hero is Lewis Hamilton and is aspiring to follow in his footsteps.
Graham Deacon said: “Words don’t really come into it really. It makes us proud just to go and watch him. I’m chuffed to bits for him.”
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