Meet Adaptive Athlete: Roy Morales

Roy Morales III grew up in Groveton, Texas, where sports were a central part of his life. He played everything, football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and track, driven by a love for competition, camaraderie, and the pursuit of winning. That mindset carried into adulthood, where staying active and pushing his limits remained core to who he is.

 

Roy served in the Army from 2003 to 2016, rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class and serving as a platoon sergeant. He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, leading from the front in high-responsibility roles. After his military career, he continued to live an active, outdoors-oriented life, with a passion for hunting and sports.

 

On May 2, 2024, Roy’s life changed after a motorcycle accident left him paralyzed. Despite the severity of his injuries, including a head injury, his perspective never wavered - he focused on gratitude for being alive and committed himself fully to recovery. Through extensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, Roy approached each day with determination, choosing to gain something, no matter how small, from every session.

 

Not long after his injury, Roy found his way back to sports, starting with shooting hoops in a wheelchair during his hospital stay. That moment reignited his competitive drive. Today, he continues to stay active through adaptive sports and is preparing to compete in multiple events at the upcoming Wheelchair Games. Through the Hyper program, Roy is looking to sharpen his physical and mental edge, build new tools for training, and continue proving that his circumstances will never define his limits.