Oksana Masters shares her journey to love, healing, and self-acceptance

Oksana Masters, 33, is the most decorated Winter Paralympian in U.S. history. She’s won 17 Paralympic medals — 14 at the Winter Games in cross-country skiing and biathlon, three at the summer Games in rowing and cycling. She’s recently added the title of “author” to her extensive resume and her book, “The Hard Parts: A Memoir of Courage and Triumph,” details her adoption story as well as the chilling traumas she endured during her time in the orphanage system in Ukraine. Masters opens up about those experiences and shares her triumphant journey to love, healing, and self-acceptance below.

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Some of the content included in this conversation may be difficult for some readers, and reader discretion is advised.

OnHerTurf: How does it feel to officially be a published author?

Oksana Masters: If only you could see the goosebumps underneath my jacket. It’s finally hitting me right now and that’s why I have this big, cheesy smile on my face. I honestly never thought I’d ever be an author or share my story. I didn’t know how to say it out loud or process my story but it feels absolutely amazing now to be able to call myself an author.

You have such an incredible story, let’s start from the beginning. You lived in three different orphanages before the age of seven in Ukraine. Can you describe what your living conditions in those places were like?  

Masters: The orphanage I remember the most is the last orphanage I stayed in. I can remember it so vividly–what it smells like and everything. I was there from age five to age seven and a half, when I was adopted. The orphanage was so dark and the ceilings were so tall. I remember the sound of echoes. It was always so cold, you