If you've ever been to a Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Jets, Blue Bombers football or Goldeyes baseball game there is a very high possibility you have seen Gabriel Langlois, better known to Manitobans as Dancing Gabe. For more than twenty years the icon has combined his passion for sports, life and entertaining others at the province's biggest sporting events.

That story has now been put to paper in the biography Dancing Gabe: One Step At A Time written by former Canadian Forces C-130 Navigator and Winnipegger Daniel Perron. This is Daniel's first published book.

The book tells the story of Gabe, who was born in 1963, diagnosed with autism at the age of three, institutionalized at 6, and non-verbal until he was ten and how he has been able to capture the hearts of many through his infectious positivity.

Perron says he took it upon himself to delve deeper into the life of Gabe, to learn where he came from and why he loves to do what he does. He adds however, the book really is a story about the people in Gabe's life.

dancing gabe book cover
The book was printed in Southern Manitoba at Friesens Corporation in Altona.

Perron goes on to say he's learned through this process how wonderful of a person Gabe is and how complex he is. "The guy has been through a lot, he's accomplished a lot, over come a lot and he's got this dedication to his community; to the fans of the sports teams."

Perron adds while Dancing Gabe: One Step At A Time is intended to give Manitobans a greater appreciation for the icon and to understand how rich his life is, the book also focuses on the themes of love; human kindness and hope. "When you look at the platform that Gabe is visible in, the professional sports platform, those words might sound kind of off-key a bit but really his story, I hope, provides a ray of hope."

For every printed book sold $1.00 will be donated to each the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation, the Winnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams Foundation to support Autism initiatives and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ commitment to anti-bullying initiatives for young people in Manitoba. Part of the proceeds will also go to a fund to benefit Gabe as he ages.