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Athletes

How Lani De Mello Realized She Can Accomplish Anything

"Special Olympics made me a more outgoing person. Before, I was shy. Now I feel I can accomplish anything," says Special Olympics athlete Lani De Mello.

A World of Opportunities

Lani De Mello was born with intellectual disabilities and a heart defect, and her doctors didn’t believe that she was ever going to amount to much. As they discharged Lani from the hospital as an infant, doctors told her mother, “Take her home. She’s never going to achieve anything.” Flash forward 30 years and Lani is a Special Olympics gold medalist many times over and a source of inspiration to her friends and family.

How Lani De Mello Defied a Doctor's Predictions
"She’s never going to achieve anything." That's what Lani's mom was told by a doctor. Watch to learn how Lani proved him (very) wrong.

From Athlete to Role Model

Lani found Special Olympics when she was 13 years old. At her first gymnastics competition, she won almost all gold medals. In addition to being a gold medalist, she has officiated at Special Olympics events, most recently at the 2015 World Games in Los Angeles. She also serves as a gymnastics coach, works at a health clinic, and volunteers as a clerk at a local high school. Check out the slideshow below:

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