Image
My name is Angela Oakley, I am from Edmonton Alberta. I am an above knee amputee after persevering through 47 surgeries on this leg to try to return my mobility.
I started cross country skiing while in undergrad. I was looking for an inexpensive outdoor sport to get me out of the house during the long cold Saskatchewan winters where I went to school. I skied recreationally for a few years until I became a below knee amputee. LIfe took me to Grande Prairie and up there I taught myself how to ski as an amputee. The local club was my lifeline while living in a northern community, providing friendship, exercise, and outdoor adventure. They were super supportive of helping me learn to ski with a prosthetic leg and when I lost my knee and became wheelchair dependent they helped me fundraise to purchase my first sit ski.
As my health issues progressed I moved back to Edmonton in 2023. Here I found some superb coaching help and other para skiers to ski with and I was introduced to the world of racing and was hooked. I attended my first talent ID camp in Canmore that fall. I raced the Alberta provincial circuit that year and Canadian Nationals in Gatineau Quebec. The next season I had my first opportunity to race representing Canada at a continental cup race in Canmore and West Yellowstone and thanks to my performance was placed on the national development team. I also started competing in para biathlon and have skied the Canadian Birkie Ski Race in a sit ski!
I had some more surgery this past spring, but attended my first team training camps this summer and am poised to step onto the World Cup Circuit this winter with a solid chance of making the Paralympic games team if things continue to go well. Being a development athlete means I have to fund these races and training camps on my own which is a huge ask when you have spent the majority of the past 7 years in the hospital having surgery after surgery.
Parasport saved my life when I was struggling through becoming disabled. I want to show other amputees what is possible and how amazing life can be. I am involved in my local biathlon and cross country club and help run a local para skiing group. I am juggling a hectic work and training schedule to try to make this season happen. I have big goals for this season and appreciate all the help I can get in reaching them!