DODD Hannah

Classification
1.0 (IWBF, 16 Aug 2021)

Type of Impairment
Spinal Cord Injuries (wsnsw.org.au, 01 Jan 2019)

Origin of Impairment
Congenital (wsnsw.org.au, 01 Jan 2019)

Impairment Details
She was born with the genetic spinal impairment sacral agenesis, a form of spina bifida. She has talipes [club foot] and her right side is weaker than her left as a result of the condition. Her renal system has also been affected by the condition. At age 16 she developed peripheral neuropathy [a type of nerve damage], which resulted in incomplete quadriplegia. Her condition continued to deteriorate and at age 22 she began using a wheelchair. (ladieswho.com.au, 13 Nov 2020; wsnsw.org.au, 01 Jan 2019; hannahdodd.com.au, 25 Apr 2012)

General
TRANSITION TO WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL
After competing in Para equestrian dressage at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, she decided to switch to wheelchair basketball as she felt it was a better fit for her deteriorating condition. She says she suffered a number of injuries during her early wheelchair basketball career. "I had a few bangs and scrapes and been tipped out of my chair a few times, but it was really fun. My joints dislocate a lot and I have to strap all my fingers and wrists before hitting the court. My shoulders will generally dislocate one or two times during a game but I've found that stretching extensively before play helps. The fast pace really gives you an adrenalin kick. I started playing competitively about three or four months after taking up the sport, and the rest is history. I probably should have known better, as I am quite competitive." (ladieswho.com.au, 13 Nov 2020; dailytelegraph.com.au, 27 May 2013)