Margaret Murphy (Paralympian)

Margaret Murphy
Personal information
Nationality Australia
Sport
SportPara-athletics, Goalball
Medal record
Women's para-athletics
Representing  Australia
Paralympic Games
1984 New York/Stoke Mandeville High Jump B2
1984 New York/Stoke Mandeville Long Jump B2

Margaret Booth (née Murphy) is an Australian vision-impaired Paralympic Games athletics and goalball competitor.

Personal life

Murphy was diagnosed with the genetic eye condition, retinitis pigmentosa, when she was just four-years-old; the same eye condition as her mother.[1] During her high school years her sight began to deteriorate rapidly and she was enrolled into the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children.[1] After learning how to use a white cane through a program tailored by a Guide Dogs orientation and mobility specialist, she received her first guide dog, Matilda, in 1989.[1] After finishing school, she undertook a secretarial course at TAFE before working for the Commonwealth Bank for nine years.[1] During her career she taught people how to use computers. In 2016 Murphy was appointed as a Guide Dogs NSW/ACT public relations speaker.[1]

Sporting career

At the 1984 New York/Stoke Mandeville Paralympics as a classified B2 athlete in the women's 100 m, 400 m, shot put, long jump and high jump.[2] Miurphy won two medals: a silver medal in the women's high jump B2 event and a bronze in the women's long jump B2 event.[2]

As Margaret Booth, she competed at the Seoul 1988 Summer Paralympics in goalball.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Margaret appointed PR Speaker". Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Margaret Murphy". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Margaret Booth". International Paralympic Committee website. Retrieved 10 April 2020.