Schools

Whiz Kid - Meet Alex Stauffer

The Hatboro-Horsham High School graduate turns his disability into ability.

After five years of parallel bars, horse, rings, floor vault and the high bar, Alex Stauffer can’t pinpoint his favorite gymnastics feat.

Stauffer, 18, of Hatboro, who earlier this month claimed seven gold medals at the Pennsylvania Special Olympics Summer Games, paused to ponder before replying, “I’m not actually sure.”

What Stauffer, a 2011  graduate is sure of, is his planned career, following studies at Montgomery County Community College. “Helping out animals” is what he hopes to do – and the video game hobbyist didn’t even have to stop to think before answering.

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Why?

“I think it was that animals don’t judge,” said Stauffer, who has Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified, a form of autism.

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And, despite Alex’s disability, his proud mom, Becky Stauffer, credits his ability to achieve as a definite advantage.

“Alex has worked hard to get to where he is,” Becky Stauffer said. “Because of his disability, he has worked harder than most. He continues to work hard.”

If his determination and success in gymnastics is any indication of his future accomplishments, Stauffer will one day be working with animals, like his dog, Randy.

 


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