CAROL HAS INSPIRING LESSONS FOR ALL
HAVING her leg amputated as a baby nearly 70 years ago gave Carol Todd an immeasurable zest for life, with the Gold Coaster going on to win gold in swimming at the 1984 Summer Paralympics in New York.
“I don’t let anything defeat me. I have always striven to keep positive and prove my abilities,” said the retiree.
Mrs Todd said she was a “baby blue” and despite having blood transfusions on her ankles, a blood clot formed in her left leg and then gangrene, so doctors “cut my left leg off”.
Blue baby syndrome occurs due to a decreased amount of haemoglobin in a baby’s blood. Haemoglobin is a blood protein that is responsible for carrying oxygen around the body and delivering it to the different cells and tissues.
Mrs Todd, who is now retired and living at Seachange Riverside Coomera, was 30 when she chose to start swimming competitively. From 1980 to 1984 she built a stellar career for herself winning gold, silver and bronze at the 1984 Paralympics.
Competition was so fierce, she recalls one of her opponents spat on her because she beat her in a race.
After retiring from the pool, she had three children and is now a grandmother.
“My daughter at times needs my help with her children who have special needs, and I love that I can be there for my family,” Mrs Todd said.
Her competitive side surfaced again recently when she taught her husband Geoff how to fish.
“I showed him how to fish, and of course, he catches the biggest fish, and I get no bites,” she said.
Mrs Todd, who turns 70 in April, can no longer swim because a botched operation in 2014 left her leg vulnerable to infection.
“My life has been very blessed. I never give up and I stay positive in whatever I do,” she said.
“I now walk to keep fit and I have taken up art, painting, craft, cards and
looking forward to take on bowls and learning to paddle in a boat.”
In the current world climate, Mrs Todd said the success of longevity and good health was to love each other.
“It gets you through the good times and the bad times because love always wins,” she said.
“We need to learn to be more optimistic and look on the bright side. My life advice would be to keep moving and don’t waste your time.”