Gérald Métroz: "We must not give up. My body is not ugly, it's just individually "
Gérald Métroz was born on May 16, 1962 at the small village of Sembrancher (Switzerland). At the age of two years he stayed near the station when a regional train could be heard from afar. The little child underestimated the threat and played unconcerned when fate struck mercilessly. Gérald Métroz slid under the moving train, which separated out to him immediately both legs almost at waist level. Within a short time the child was now bleeding to death, but the wheels of the train jammed from the arteries and thus prevented certain death. Miraculously survived Gérald Métroz this terrible accident, but his legs were lost forever.
As Gérald Métroz awoke after a serious operation at the hospital, he had to cope with the fact, now do without legs. But he had a great willpower and tried already to go a short time later in great pain, with simple wooden prosthesis again. Gérald Métroz had only an important goal to be like all the other children and not to be marginalized. His great passion he found just in the sport where he was tried and tested. At the age of ten he played hockey with his prostheses, he was bold as a goalkeeper on the slippery ice in use. But especially in wheelchair basketball Gérald Métroz was very successful, through untiring efforts he made it here to the Swiss national team.
Although the life was often to cope with difficulty, managed Gérald Métroz, very well find their way in spite of his handicap in life. At the age of 25, he moved for a time to Canada where he acquired a growing self-confidence. So he made the decision to dispense with the painful and uncomfortable dentures, which he wore only out of consideration for the other people, so as not to unsettle because of its lack of legs. In wheelchair tennis, it turned Gérald Métroz a new challenge, with a large training effort and an immense determination, he was four times Swiss champion and took part in the Paralympics in 1996 even in Atlanta (USA).
Gérald Métroz: "We must not give up. My body is not ugly, it's just individually "
In addition to his career as an athlete Gérald Métroz was very successful as a sports manager. He founded his own company, where professional hockey players were supervised and constructed and began to write books about his life. In presentations and conferences Gérald Métroz reported all over the world about his experience to prevail despite the handicap in life and to go his own way.
Gérald Métroz lost as a child in a tragic blow both his legs. But he learned his disability to accept and completed a great career as an athlete. He founded his own company and struck by a an independent and very successful way. Gérald Métroz developed an extraordinary vitality and showed people that you can achieve anything in life with enthusiasm and willpower.
Gérald Métroz: "I have no reason to complain. Life has given me much, friendships, love and success in business. I am happy "