Jessica Gallagher created history at the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver, becoming the first Australian woman to win a Winter Paralympic Games medal.

With guide Eric Bickerton, Jessica claimed bronze in the women’s vision-impaired Slalom, capping an amazing rise in the sport after joining the APC’s Alpine Skiing program in 2009 following a career as a gifted track and field athlete. And to make her momentous Paralympic medal even more special, she was able to win it on her 24th birthday.

Jessica describes herself as friendly, outgoing and focused firmly on success. Although relatively new to winter sport, she won a gold medal at her first international event, the 2009 New Zealand Winter Games, and broke through for her first IPC World Cup medal in Austria in January, 2010.And although she has firm plans to compete at the Sochi Winter Paralympic  Games in 2014, she has resumed her athletics career in the hope of competing at the London Summer Games in 2012. In April, she competed at the Australian Athletics Championships and is now focussed on the IPC World Athletics Championships held in New Zealand in January 2010.

She hates dishonesty, magpies and injuries and recently completed her masters in osteopathy. Successfully treating a wheelchair user suffering from chronic back pain was one of Jessica’s proudest moments as she was able to see the appreciation on the man’s face.

Spending time with her friends and family and listening to music relaxes Jessica, who also plays able-bodied netball and basketball. She admires Japanese athlete Koji Murofushi for his timeless dedication and commitment to the hammer throw and seeks inspiration from 1984 Olympic Games long jump silver medallist Gary Honey for motivation to be the best athlete she can be.