Meet Adaptive Athlete: Morgan Hosbrough

Morgan Hosbrough was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, where she grew up navigating life with a complex congenital disability. From an early age, she underwent multiple medical interventions, including corrective surgeries for scoliosis, kyphosis, tethered spinal cord, and later procedures involving hamstring lengthening and lower limb hardware. While there is no single formal diagnosis, Morgan lives with partial paralysis from the waist down and has spent her life adapting, problem-solving, and proving that movement and sport are still possible on her own terms.

 

Despite significant physical challenges, Morgan was raised with a mindset centered on capability rather than limitation. Her mother instilled in her the belief that “can’t” was not an option - anything could be done, even if it required a different path or more time. That foundation shaped how she approaches both daily life and long-term goals, pushing her to stay active, independent, and persistent even when things are more difficult.

 

In high school, Morgan discovered sled hockey, a sport that immediately became a turning point in her life. It was the first time she experienced a space where her disability wasn’t a barrier, but simply part of the game. More importantly, it introduced her to a community of adaptive athletes who shared similar lived experiences, struggles, and resilience - something she had never had access to before.

 

Morgan continues to stay active through adaptive sports and remains deeply connected to the sled hockey community that first welcomed her. Through opportunities like the Hyper program, she hopes to expand her knowledge of training and fitness as a disabled athlete, while also learning how to better support others who are navigating similar paths.