After she was born, Hannah had two cardiac arrests, which left her with permanent damage in numerous areas of her brain, resulting in weak hips, deformed feet and legs and mobility problems, as well as impaired fine motor skills in her hands.
After being turned away from sport during her primary education, Hannah competed during her secondary school years in swimming, seated discus and wheelchair basketball. An impressive silver medal performance in the seated discus at the UK School Games led to a place at a British Paralympic Association talent day at Loughborough University in 2007.