Gerry Bertier

Bertier's parents divorced when he was around age eight and he was raised primarily by his mother until she remarried Robert Agnew. As a child and young man, Bertier was described as an amiable, goal-oriented individual.[1] Growing up, he frequently discussed his lifetime goal of winning a gold medal in the Olympics, and, as an active participant in various athletics, seemed to be on track for this goal.

Bertier began his high school career at Hammond High School and joined the football team. He became a key player, soon becoming the backbone of the defense. As a sophomore, Bertier was starting linebacker, a position for which he won many honors.[4] However, Bertier was only able to play three seasons, when Hammond H.S. was merged with two other Alexandria high schools to form T.C. Williams High School.[4] The consolidation meant there were many new faces on the football team as well as on the coaching staff, which caused racial tension between team members. This new mixture of Titans was forced to come together as a single successful team, dealing with the issue of racial prejudice, a difficult battle for many members of the team. As a captain, Bertier, along with friend and teammate defensive end Julius Campbell, supported their teammates through this time of struggle.[4] Even though the team was still struggling with prejudice as the season opener rolled around, the strife was not evident in the way the T.C. Titans began the 1971 season. The Titans went 13–0, including nine shutouts, and went on to win the Virginia State Championship.[4] During the Titans' undefeated season, they also outscored their opponents by a 357-45 margin.[4] Bertier's stats during the season included 142 tackles and 42 sacks. Bertier was named team Defensive Most Valuable Player.[4] He was named National Prep School Football Player of the Year and received First Team All-Region, All-State, and All-American honors. As he prepared to move to the next level, Bertier received many football scholarships offers from prominent colleges like Notre Dame and University of Alabama.[4]

On December 11, 1971, Bertier had been at a banquet honoring the players of the 1971 T.C. Williams Titans football team for their undefeated season. After the banquet, Bertier borrowed his mother's new 1971 Chevrolet Camaro. Bertier lost control of the Camaro and crashed. He was moved to the operating room when he was stabilized.[5] Although doctors tried to relieve pressure on his spine to help him regain some feeling, it was unsuccessful. Bertier coordinated with junior colleges in Alexandria to set up a "Walk for Mankind," and he encouraged students, adults, and company executives to donate. Bertier occasionally met with others who survived similar injuries, helping them with their rehabilitation. Outside of his hometown, Bertier made speeches across the country for the rights of the disabled. He addressed subjects such as making buildings accessible to disabled people. Bertier worked for Abbey Medical selling medical equipment to disabled people, a position that allowed him to attend wheelchair sporting events held nationally.

After Bertier recuperated from his injuries, he once again became a competitive athlete. According to his sister, Becky Britt, "During Gerry's childhood he had mentioned being in the Olympics. His long-term goal was to receive a gold medal."[1] He decided to occupy himself in Wheelchair Track and Field, the Wheelchair Basketball League, and the United States Paralympics, setting state and national records.[6][2]