Masters is the most decorated Winter U.S. Paralympian in history and first American to win seven medals at a single Paralympic Games, in Beijing in 2022. Her teammate Kendall Gretsch will also compete in Milan Cortina, having previously won seven Paralympic medals, including four golds.

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Inside Nick Mayhugh's closet is a suitcase filled with gold medals. "I don't necessarily really care about them," he said of the hardware he won at the Paralympics. Stream Connecticut News for free, 24/7, wherever you are. The medals represent victory.

The United States has 72 members on its Paralympic Team, including a decent handful from Colorado, who will compete over the coming weeks at the 50th annual Paralympic Winter Games.

Local organizations Courage Kenny, Hope Inc. and the Hendrickson Foundation are seeing an uptick in calls during the Paralympics.

From a young age, Jesse Keefe found freedom on the slopes.