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

The biggest challenge during competition is keeping my real legs warm with clothing, because I have poor circulation in the tissue around the amputated areas.

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.

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.

I think in the history of basketball, people get hired and people get fired, but the main thing is people enjoy their careers and enjoy that they have jobs, so you really have to stay positive about everything.

As I've got older, I've really had to dig deep and find where my happiness comes from. Why do I play tennis? You get a lot of incredible highs, but it can be very lonely with some dark lows. So the biggest thing I've learned is finding the reasons for my enjoyment.

I think any football is a guy that is able to one, be able to be humble and hungry off the field, but at the same time on the football field understand what they have to get done and be a little bit ferocious.

I have five boys in the family, and it's constant competition, sport, humor, and practical jokes.