Anne-Dorte Andersen was born as the only child to loving parents in Denmark. Like her mother, Anne has Dysmelia, meaning she was born without hands or feet. 

At 12, Anne began to pursue swimming, and she was a natural. Three years later, she was competing as a Paralympian at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics Games, followed by the 1992 Games in Barcelona and the 1996 Games in Atlanta. Swimming on the national team, as one of the only female athletes, empowered Anne to stand up to injustice and advocate on behalf of athletes with disabilities. 

After her swimming career, Anne began looking for a job in the civil sector. Unfortunately, jobs for persons with disabilities were hard to come by. Anne moved to the UK, where she became a Disability Sports Development Officer in Wales and then in England. After more than ten years away, Anne returned to her home country to work with the Danish Sports Association for the Disabled. In her position as the Sports Project Coordinator for Disabled Children and Youth, Anne is responsible for creating sporting opportunities for children with disabilities and identifying potential athletes for the Danish Paralympic talent squads.