Celebratory cake to mark Paralympian's return

It’s back to the books for London Paralympian gold medallist and world record breaker Mary Fisher who has resumed her studies at Massey’s Wellington campus.

Before getting back down to academic work the visually impaired swimmer, who won a gold, two silver and a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games was welcomed back to the campus with an afternoon tea featuring a specially baked cake with “Mary Fisher You are a Star” spelt out in icing.

A top priority for staff and friends who joined in the celebrations was to see and hold the gold medal Ms Fisher won for the S11 200m individual medley in a world record time of two minutes, 46 seconds, point 91 (2:46.91).

The first-year Bachelor of Science student majoring in psychology won her other medals in the 100- metre backstroke and 100-metre freestyle (both silver) and 50-metre freestyle (bronze) respectively.

Swimming in the S11 class requires her to wear blackened goggles and for someone to tap her as she approaches the swimming pool wall.

Campus Student Advisor (Disability) Heather McCallum says Ms Fisher had distinguished herself by maintaining excellent grades despite having to miss classes in semester one to attend training camps.

The 19-year-old thanked everyone for their support and interest in her success, before enjoying a slice of the celebratory chocolate cake.