Quotes from Oksana Masters

In 2012, I was invited to a ski event called the Hartford Ski Spectacular to learn how to sit-ski for the first time. I loved it, but it was not pretty - I was not good. I didn't know how to stop, so I kept throwing myself on the ground.

The realization that I'm never going to run again, the feeling through my hair when you run... you're still a kid. You still have so much life to live.

I'm just stupid and too headstrong.

It's insane going from skiing to cycling. Even though you are in prime shape, you feel like you have never worked out a day in your life.

It's weird to not know what a family is. Not know what a mother's love is. And not really know what a hug is or anything.

I use Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting CC Cream in place of foundation post-workout. I absolutely love that it's quick, easy, and something I can use on the go. It evens out my skin tone, provides SPF 15 protection, and leaves my skin feeling breathable, healthy, and moisturized.

I didn't find out about the Paralympics until I was 18 years old. Once I found out what the Paralympics were, I was so excited to know I had a chance to represent my country and wear Team U.S.A. on my back.

It's extremely important for my sit ski to be perfectly fit to me. If it's too big, and I shift around, the energy and strength I put into propelling myself forward will be lost. The right fit is everything in my sport.

Cycling's primarily a pushing motion, and skiing is more pulling, so it kind of balances out the body.

When I ski, I take both of my legs off and get into a sit ski: a ski with a custom seat that has been molded for me. I use my core and arms to propel myself on snow with help from ski poles.

In 2013, I had the chance to try cross-country skiing on snow and just fell in love with being in nature and how hard it was to pick up the sport. And the snow is sparkly.

I was a super active kid, so I've always been aware of where my body is in space, and I think when I had my legs amputated, it makes you more aware of your body, and because I don't use my legs, I use more of my hands.

I was a troublemaker.

I never in a million years thought I would be able to be a Paralympic athlete.

I definitely went through a period where I don't want to say I hated myself, but I hated what I saw in the mirror. I would try to cover it up, and it wasn't until I started doing sports - until after London 2012 - that I kind of started getting more of that confidence in my body and appreciating my body.

Growing up in a very poor orphanage in Ukraine, there wasn't much food.

I never thought I'd be able to go back to Ukraine.

I am so proud to be Ukrainian, and I'm also so proud to be an American.

I think it is very unfortunate that there is a ban on adoptions in Russia.

They said if I stayed in the orphanage for another month or so, I basically would not have been able to be alive.

When you're using your upper body to live, you get to know how to move every muscle.

I was missing the main weight-bearing bone in both legs. And the left leg, I didn't have a full knee. It was a floating knee. I had six toes. My hands were webbed, and I also have one kidney. I don't have a full bicep on my right side. Thank God my hair didn't get ruined.

My mom literally saved my life. I wasn't supposed to make it out of the orphanage.

Sport has definitely been an outlet for me.