Paralympic Champion Oksana Masters: From Orphanage to Global Icon
Oksana Masters' story is one of resilience and self-discovery. A familiar face among US Paralympic sports fans, her journey is a testament to the transformative power of sport. Born in Ukraine, Masters' life was forever changed by the Chernobyl disaster, leading to inherited impairments. She spent her early years in an orphanage, a grim reality that could have easily defined her future.
"There are three defining moments in my life," Masters, who was adopted and brought to the United States at the age of eight, shared on a recent podcast. "My mother saved my life, quite literally, by bringing me out of Ukraine, where I was told I wouldn't live past 10. She saved my life again by introducing me to the world of sport. And finally, sport itself saved my life, as it was where I began the journey of self-love and acceptance."
However, sport wasn't initially something Masters envisioned for herself. "I never thought I could be an athlete, let alone a Paralympian. It was simply not something I saw or heard about. And besides, I was missing my legs. How could I possibly be an athlete?"
But her mother's encouragement led Masters to take up Para rowing at the age of 13, shortly after her second leg amputation (her first leg was amputated at nine years old).
"For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged on the water. It was my first step towards healing and self-discovery," Masters reflected. "I had to confront the invisible wounds, the mental scars that people couldn't see, before I could tackle the physical scars, my missing limbs, the things that are so obvious to others.
"Sport became my therapy. I learned to love it for what it was, for the healing process, rather than for winning, setting goals, or striving to be the best. The idea of representing the USA seemed impossible, something I never saw myself doing."
Despite those initial doubts, Masters has achieved remarkable success, amassing seven gold, seven silver, and three bronze medals across six Paralympic Games in three different sports. Her journey, from a challenging start in Ukraine to becoming a global sporting icon, is a poignant reminder of the strength within each of us to overcome adversity and redefine our own destinies.
