Gallagher has been appointed Vision 2020 Australia’s first Global Ambassador for Australia’s efforts to overcome avoidable blindness and vision impairment. Her role will include raising awareness of the difference Australian aid work is having and the link between blindness and poverty.
The 25-year-old osteopath who is currently training in track and field for the London 2012 Paralympics, said despite losing her own sight she realises how lucky she is to live in Australia and have access to such good medical and disability services.
Ms. Gallagher was diagnosed with the degenerative eye condition Cone Dystrophy at the age of 17, and has always been active in sport. She played competitive netball until her eyesight deteriorated.
Ms. Gallagher will travel to the Asia Pacific later this year to meet Australians who are working to restore sight and improve facilities and services
After skiing for just 150 days, she competed in the slalom skiing event at the Vancouver Paralympic Games in 2010 and became the first Australian woman to ever win a medal at a winter games.
Ms. Gallagher will travel to the Asia Pacific later this year to meet Australians who are working to restore sight and improve facilities and services, as well as people who are vision impaired.