THE SEQUAL: How the Paralympics reveal the best of us

Do you remember Teen Beat magazine? Xennials, I’m looking at you. My adolescent heartthrobs and idols postered on my wall included Alyssa Milano, Johnny Depp, River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, and the New Kids on the Block.

Today, I’m a woman in my early 40s, but if I were a teenager nowadays, I suspect Madison Cawthorn and Enya van Egmond AKA the Bionic Woman, would plaster my bedroom. (And HELLO ~ it’s about time society expanded the definitions of "role models" and "sexy" bodies!)

As a lifelong ally for adults with disabilities, it’s my honor to use my voice to fight stigma and discrimination. The advocacy burden shouldn’t always fall on the minority group, amiright?

Last year, I spotlighted a few extraordinary summer Paralympians (and YES, it was tough to pick!) for a piece right here on Vocal.

So, as a winter sports enthusiast, it’s only fair that I whip up a sequel. Here’s part two, featuring my four favorites from the Beijing Paralympic Games:

Oksana Masters. USA. Biathlon.

Get ready to fangirl. Saying Oksana Masters had a rough start in life would be an understatement. Born in Ukraine, Master’s biological mother suffered radiation from the Chernobyl disaster. As a result, Masters was born with multiple impairments.

Due to those disabilities, Master’s biological mother abandoned her shortly after birth at a local orphanage. Her extraordinary challenges made Masters less desirable for adoption.

As she got older and older, Masters bounced around to three different orphanages as she watched other kids find their forever homes. Finally, against all odds, Masters was adopted at seven by a single mother named Gay Masters, who brought her to the US.

Loved, nurtured, and supported, Masters became a superathlete. Today, she has over a dozen medals from competing in both the winter AND summer Paralympics, making Masters one of the most decorated Paralympians of all time.

Are you fangirling yet? Well, after winning two golds in Tokyo for cycling, Masters just won seven medals in seven events in Beijing, including the gold for biathlon.

Henrieta Farkasova. Slovakia. Alpine Skiing.

As an avid skier, I can attest to how adrenaline-fueled it can be to barrel down a frozen mountain. And Henrieta Farkasova does it better than just about anyone, PLUS, she does so with a visual impairment.

Since learning to ski in high school, Farkasova has been unstoppable and unbeatable on the slopes. With the support of her guide, Farkasova perpetually leaves her competition snapping at her heels. She’s an eleven-time Paralympic CHAMPION, including two shiny new gold medals from Beijing 2022.

Farkasova was also the proud 2019 recipient of the prestigious Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability. Her success is proof that no sport is off-limits and her story serves as a global benchmark for overcoming adversity through athletics.

Dan Cnossen. USA. Cross-Country Skiing & Biathlon.

I have a MASSIVE soft spot for veterans. Dan Cnossen is no stranger to physically demanding endeavors or being elite in his field. His ultimate goal has always been to serve his country.

In 2009, as a Navy Seal officer commanding his platoon in Afghanistan, Cnossen stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device). He subsequently had to have both his legs amputated.

Cnossen was devastated by the loss of his career and life as he knew it. He spent two years fighting for his life, enduring 40+ surgeries. While rehabbing, Cnossen began cross-country skiing and found immense peace in nature.

Like all challenges he undertakes, Cnossen became very good at it and realized this was another way he could serve his country. By 2014, Cnossen was on the Paralympic team.

Then, at the 2018 Pyeongchang Paralympics, Cnossen won one gold, four silver, one bronze medal, and the coveted title of Best Male Athlete of The Games. He added another gold medal to his cramped trophy case from Beijing.

Billy Bridges. Canada. Para Ice Hockey.

Similar to classic ice hockey, which is played on skates, Para ice hockey athletes maneuver the same physically-demanding game but on a two-bladed sled called a sledge.

To put it into perspective, the average NHL superstar’s slapshot can reach 160 km/hr. Para ice hockey player Billy Bridges ~ who’s much closer to the ground and thus generates less torque ~ has a slapshot that clocks in at 130 km/hr. Yep, that’s unbelievably impressive!

Born with mobility issues, Bridges never let his disability prevent him from excelling in athletics. When he’s not winning medals at the Winter Paralympics (read: rarely), Bridges dominates in wheelchair basketball, his offseason passion.

Okay, fine, cue the sad trombone: Canada brought home the silver from Beijing after suffering a crushing loss to their forever-rivals from the USA. But we’ll get them next time, in Milan 2026. I can hardly wait.

“I don’t need easy. I just need possible.” ~ Bethany Hamilton