'My heart is breaking': Louisville Paralympian born in Ukraine speaks about Russia

In late February, as she boarded a flight to China, bound for her sixth Paralympics, Russia began to invade the country where Oksana Masters was born.

Masters is a 32-year-old elite athlete who was born in Ukraine and grew up in Louisville and is considered one of the world's most accomplished and versatile athletes. A 10-time Paralympian medalist, Masters has competed and medaled numerous times in a variety of sports in both the summer and winter Paralympics.

Masters' bittersweet message on social media paid homage to both Ukraine and the USA, counties she says have provided her with the grit to achieve at the highest level.

"One of my favorite parts of competing at Paralympic games is I’m always side-by-side with these two flags," Masters wrote on Instagram. "My heart & soul is Ukrainian & American. But, tonight my heart is breaking for my country of birth which was my home for [eight] years. It is breaking for the people of Ukraine."

To consistently perform at a world-class level has required Masters to adopt what seems like a superhuman degree of resilience and perseverance — traits she'd developed to survive during her childhood in Ukrainian orphanages and in the United States where she has endured multiple medical setbacks on her journey to athletic greatness.

More: How this elite Louisville athlete is pushing aside doubters for more gold-medal-glory

A double amputee who was born in Ukraine with severe birth defects to her legs and hands, a result of the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster, Masters was the victim of abuse in orphanages where she lived until Gay Masters, a former speech pathologist at The University of Louisville, adopted her at age 8 and brought her to live in the United States.

By the time she was in high school, both her left and right leg had been removed above the knees. Masters was born with her left leg six inches shorter than her right and both her legs were missing weight-bearing bones which ultimately resulted in amputation. She was also born with six toes on each foot, five webbed fingers on each hand, and no thumbs.

Despite her physical impairments, Masters performs first and foremost as an elite athlete.

"Sports helped me to learn to appreciate my body more for what it was able to do, not on what it was missing," she said.

The 2022 Paralympic Winter Games run now through Sunday, March 13. Check NBC for where to watch at NBC.com.

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter @kirbylouisville.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville athlete born in Ukraine, Oksana Masters, discusses Russia