Olympic legend Dawn Fraser Recovering From Hip Surgery After Suffering A Fall At Home
Australian Olympic great Dawn Fraser has drawn on all her spirit and determination as she recovers from a fall that has left her with a broken hip, four broken ribs and a gashed arm – and support from a sport’s loving nation, sending their best wishes to one of their country’s living legends.
It wasn’t going to stop “Our Dawn” who five days after emergency surgery for a hip replacement is up walking around.
Fraser suffered the fall at her daughter Dawn-Lorraine’s Sunshine Coast home and is certainly surprising her medical team – and even those closest to her who know just how tough she is.
Dawn was at home alone last Wednesday when she tripped over outside and used her mobile phone to ring Dawn-Lorraine and her neighbours.
Within 24 hours the first swimmer to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 100m freestyle in 1956, 1960 and 1964, was under the knife receiving a new hip and as a bonus also helping alleviate her painful arthritis.
And the spirit of the 1956 Olympic team family shone through earlier today when Dawn had a visit from good friend Jan Winram, wife of Dawn’s Melbourne Olympic teammate, the late Gary Winram.
Jan rang your Swimming World correspondent and family friend to put Dawn on the phone, allaying any fears that the woman who has become the godmother of Australian swimming and Olympic and Commonwealth Games teams, swimming’s Swimmer of the Century still had plenty more laps left in her.
“Heard you’ve been in the wars,” I said to our beloved champion.
“Now Dawn you have to hit this turn at full speed, using that powerful six beat kick…..”
And as quick as a whip, with the glass half-full, the 87-year-old champion fired back with: “I’ve already come off the turn and I’m on the way home.”
And in less than a week, Dawn Fraser is already ahead of the game, leading by example as she continues to defy the odds, walking further than the doctors and physios expected and “getting into trouble.”
Here is the Statement issued by the family.
“Olympic swimming legend Dawn Fraser has undergone successful surgery for a hip replacement after suffering a fall at her daughter’s Sunshine Coast home last week and is already up walking – her never-say-die Olympic spirit shining through again.
“The 87-year-old National Treasure also suffered four broken ribs and a gashed arm.
“”The three-time Olympic champion underwent emergency surgery on her hip at a Sunshine Coast Hospital last Thursday.
Dawn is already making amazing progress – her doctors reading her the riot act for ‘walking too far.’
“She greeted family and friends today with a smile, determined to get out of bed by herself and walking through the hospital with all of her grit determination that made her one of the all-time greats of Olympic sport.
”Dawn has had continued support from her daughter Dawn Lorraine and grandson Jackson who have been by her side through what has been a frightening ordeal.
“Dawn-Lorraine saying: ‘Mum has scared the daylights out of us…..but to see her up and about today is the best Christmas present we could have asked for…she is one tough lady.
‘Huge thanks to the doctors and nursing staff who have been amazing….I can’t thank them enough…..they could not be happier with Mum’s progress….’
Dawn will remain in hospital for rehab and pain management and she wants everyone to know you can’t keep a good woman down, especially when you name is Dawn Fraser.