Winning in women's singles felt surreal. I felt that everything I had done - the hard work, the tough times - was all worth it.

I've realized how precious life is. When I was younger, I was more adventurous. I felt invincible. I was game for everything. As a mom, I don't want to get injured because then I can't take care of my kids.

Probably a few weeks after I was born I started having casts put on my legs to straighten them out. After that corrective shoes and with a brace in between.

Training for the Olympics was a lifelong endeavor and took many years.

Every day, someone realizes a dream. I believe dreams help light our darkness and give us the push we need to move across the rink of life.

The good feeling I get from contributing rivals anything I felt on the Olympic stand in Albertville.

As a teenager especially, I just wanted to do my thing and not be noticed.