Gerrard Gosens
Profession: Paralympian and adventurer
Partner: Jessica Raffa
Charity: Vision Australia
Vote: Eliminated
He's climbed Mt Everest, swum with sharks and flown a motor glider around Queensland. In a Dancing With The Stars world first, blind adventurer and three-time paralympian, Gerrard Gosens is about to face his greatest challenge ever when he takes to the dance floor with partner Jessica Raffa.
Gerrard Gosens is recognised as one of the most outstanding people in Australia today.
Congenitally blind, Gerrard became Australia's youngest Guide Dog recipient at age sixteen. Using a laptop computer with speech output to assist his studies, Gerrard achieved an exceptional High School score and gained entrance to the Bachelor of Business Management at Queensland University of Technology. Gerrard's commendable academic achievements are matched by his skill and success at sport.
Gerrard lives by the philosophy 'Success is a journey, not a destination', but jokes he has hit many signposts while training for his chosen sport of long distance running. Gerrard has competed in many marathons and has run 2,000 kilometres from Cairns to Brisbane five times to raise money for charity.
Gerrard represented Australia at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games in the team sport of Goalball where the team just missed out on a bronze medal. Goalball is specifically for athletes that are blind or who are vision impaired.
Gerrard decided to return to his former sporting love – distance running and represented Australia at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games in the 5000 metres, 10,000 metres and marathon (42.2km). Gerrard has gone on to be one of only 60 Australians to be a torch Bearer for the 2008 Olympic Games, and was selected to represent Australia at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games where he competed in the 1500 meters.
Gerrard believes in preparation! During 2003/2004 he spent many weeks at Everest Base Camp and high altitudes in the Himalayas. Gerrard returned to Everest in 2005 and climbed beyond Camp Three (7300m). Gerrard plans to return to Everest, as he aims to be the first congenitally blind person to summit Everest.
Gerrard Gosens also has a head for heights, having three times co-piloted an ultra light motor glider around Queensland to raise funds for charity.
His many achievements and his strength and determination to succeed at whatever he does, saw him named Young Queenslander of the Year in 1995, and a finalist in the Young Australian of the Year. Gerrard was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship in 1998 for humanitarian service, and in 2003 received a Centenary of Federation Medal for service to sport.
A well sought after conference presenter and after-dinner speaker, Gerrard is presently, Special Projects Manager for 'Vision Australia' and is constantly looking for ways to improve the lives of children who are blind, like his 11 year old daughter, Taylor.
Meanwhile, he is writing a book called "My Eyes had a Wet Nose", which provides an insight into the many unique and entertaining experiences that he has encountered with his guide dogs, Joey, Anchor, Summit, and now Chief. Everything from spending the night with Stevie Wonder, landing his first full time job a week out of high school through to pulling off one of Queensland's best ever April Fools Day jokes and competing in the National Tandem Long board Surfing Championships.
269 Comments
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Kimmy 03:30pm Thursday 24th September 2009 EST Report AbuseHow fantastic was it to watch Gerrard! With all the viewers backing him up and enjoying him greatly why is it that tv and sponsors don't get behind the paralympics????? Did you know that alot of the paralympics have to use their own funds to be able to compete yet look at how much coverage the oylimpics get!! Come on lets give the paralympics the media coverage it deserves!
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mike and jo 10:59am Saturday 19th September 2009 EST Report Abuse
hi. how are you when your out of the grand frnirli ????????? my name is antoinette what is your name ?????????????? what is your favrit thing ????? i love your moves ??????? love from antoinette
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Marianna 10:43pm Sunday 13th September 2009 EST Report Abuse
Yes, Gerrard you are an inspiration to all and I am so very glad to know you personally. Dancing with your wife - how wonderful! I am overseas and only just watched most of it. We love you ,Marianne.
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Kaylene 07:46pm Tuesday 08th September 2009 EST Report Abuse
Hi Gerrard & Heather, How wonderful you both were together dancing the waltz finally, bought a tear to my eye. All the best for the future.
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Eva 08:02pm Monday 07th September 2009 EST Report Abuse
To Gerrard & his beautiful wife - you are both the most beautiful people and you really are the real winners in Dancing with the Stars I felt that the judges were a little hard with there comments. But you won in all of Australia's eyes. Good on ya mate God bless you and your family
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Amy 12:04pm Monday 07th September 2009 EST Report AbuseThe man who touches the hearts of many who are disabled... Never believe yourself not good to be someone else.. because if you trust yourself, if you have the motivation, you can cross the seas of seas..
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raerch5 11:21am Monday 07th September 2009 EST Report Abuse
As far as I'm concerned you are the real champion. I don't care what anyone else says, it takes a lot as guts and determination to take on the challenges that you do. The judges are the real losers. You don't need to say sorry to anyone. Most sighted people could not have done what you did. I couldn't dance the way you did but you've inspired me to try. And the dance with your wife was fantastic. I for one would like to see you on a future series of DWTS. ...
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Susan 10:46am Monday 07th September 2009 EST Report Abuse
Gerrard and Heather: Well done! You are both terrific to put so much out there on live TV. Heather: haven't seen that much lace fly since Fifi Box went head first down the stairs and did a fetlock, so good on you for getting up. You have both influenced the way I look at having a red hot go at life, I can't thank you enough. Good luck to both of you, I suspect we'll see so much more of you.
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Siobhan 07:19am Monday 07th September 2009 EST Report Abuse
To Gerrard & his beautiful wife - you are both the most beautiful people and you really are the real winners in Dancing with the Stars - Winners never quit & Quitters never Win....You really showed Australia!!!!! Go GERRARD!
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