After an MS diagnosis threatened her athletic life, Karen Smith found a new path in adaptive sports and went on to win gold with Team USA sled hockey.
Published March 6, 2026 at 11:36 AM EST
From MS Diagnosis to Gold Medal
After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Karen Smith could have stepped away from the sports she loved. Instead, she found new purpose through adaptive athletics. In a recent episode of Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public, Smith shares how adaptive equipment helped her keep moving, eventually leading her to become a gold medal winning goalie on Team USA’s Women’s Sled Hockey team.
Today, Smith continues to inspire others through her leadership with the Gaylord Wolfpack sled hockey program and her advocacy for inclusive sports.
Listen to the full story to hear how Karen Smith turned an MS diagnosis into a powerful journey in adaptive sports.
