Gabby Duran 
Autism Doesn’t Stop Me 

Gabby knows how hard it is to be different from others in the school. Sometimes her own experiences were painful and lonely. She was told she was autistic, and she felt very alone. Gabby rode a special bus to school and went to classrooms where there were few students. Other kids on the playground didn’t include her. Even most adults didn’t understand her. She wanted friends so badly, and she wanted to be included in schoolyard games! But things got better for her and it will get better for you too! Join her on her journey through school and finally finding happiness and friends in sports with Special Olympics. Gabby grew confident as she learned to play games and she collected medals! Gabby learned that she is more like everyone else than she is different. She loves traveling, playing sports, going to Walt Disney World, and seeing Disney movies. She also enjoys cute animals, Sponge Bob, holidays, activities with friends, and birthday parties. Her interests and experiences gave her more confidence to make friends. Gabby hopes everyone who feels different finds their way in the world and finds what makes them happy.