While majoring in physical education at Mount Royal College in the 1970s, Manzer lost part of her right leg when she was run over by a car on the Trans-Canada Highway.
During her recovery, she came in contact with Jerry Johnston and Sunshine Village who worked with amputees in cross-country skiing.
[1] With practice, Manzer and Brent Munro became the first Canadians to participate in Cross-country skiing at the 1976 Winter Paralympics.
[2] She earned a gold medal at the 5 km short distance Class II race,[3] although she was the only competitor.
[6] She earned a certified skiing instructors certificate from the Canadian Ski instructors Alliance[7] and won three medals at the 1982 Winter World Championships for the Disabled.