The Free Play Foundation

The Free Play Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization created by a devoted mother of three, whose own children and close relatives have experienced developmental delays including, epilepsy, autism, nonverbal communication, and motor challenges. As a parent navigating a world where traditional sports programs often overlook or exclude children with disabilities, Gabrielle saw a need, one that was deeply personal and profoundly unmet. Too often, she encountered systems that were not built for every child. Teams that couldn’t accommodate stimming, tics, elopement, or the beautiful ways neurodiverse kids show up in the world. Spaces that placed pressure on children to “pay attention” or “perform,” rather than allowing them to just be. As a mom, she dreamed of a place where children weren’t judged, compared, or misunderstood, a place where they could simply play, belong, and thrive. And so, The Free Play Foundation was born.