Background
Dodd was born in the Perth suburb of Subiaco on 6 September 1944, as the youngest of five children.
Dodd was born in the Perth suburb of Subiaco on 6 September 1944, as the youngest of five children.
She became paraplegic at the age of 13 after contracting transverse myelitis, which confined her to a wheelchair. After contracting the disease, she undertook rehabilitation which included archery and swimming at the Royal Perth Hospital Shenton Park Annexe. This was the start of her sporting career.
After treatment at the hospital, she returned to school at Mount Lawley High School and then passed the Junior Examination at the University of Western Australia.
They adopted a son, Matthew. ". She worked for 25 years in the office of Koondoola Special School, now known as Burbridge School.
She was involved with disability issues with the Public Transport Authority and assisted community groups such as Wheelchair Sports Washington, the Abilympics, and Business and Professional Women. She died on 26 November 2004.
Dodd competed at the 1962 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Perth winning seven gold and two silver medals.
She worked as an honorary assistant secretary to the Games Organising Committee. After the Games, she was employed as a shorthand typist at the University Department of Medicine at Royal Perth Hospital. She did not compete at the 1964 Tokyo Games due to health problems.
She also competed in the Women"s Singles B – event in table tennis.
Injury forced her to withdraw from the 1970 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Edinburgh, and she retired from competition in that year because she could not train after spinal surgery. She was coached by Tony Howson.
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1996 – inducted into the Western Australian Hall of Champions. 2009 – inducted into the Swimming Western Australia Hall of Fame.